Saveetha University told to refund fees with Rs 25 Lakhs compensation

CHENNAI: The Saveetha University on EVR Periyar Salai (Poonamallee High Road) at Rajankuppam has been directed by the Madras High Court to refund the fees collected from eight students with a compensation of `25 lakh each within 45 days, for admitting them under the NRI quota without the candidates appearing for NEET, and thereby spoiling their career.

Justice S Vaidyanathan who gave the directive when a batch of writ petitions from V S Subeeksha and others came up for hearing on Tuesday, also directed the university to return their original certificates.
The court was disposing of the petitions from the students, in the second year at Saveetha Dental College affiliated to the university, seeking to quash an order dated January 22 last of the Dental Council of India directing the university to discharge 13 students admitted under NRI category without their writing NEET.

Though the relief sought for by the petitioners cannot be granted, the students had already completed two years of study in the university and they are now forced to stay away from the third year. As the students had lost two years and that any admission to the course is invalid, the fees paid by the students to the university under all heads have to be refunded to them, the judge said. Further, the university should return all the original certificates of the petitioners and issue the transfer certificates to them within a week, the judge said.

Sum to be paid within 45 days, directs court
Apart from the refund of the fees paid, the students will be entitled to `25 lakh each as compensation to be paid by the university. The sum will have to be paid by the university within 45 days, failing which it is open to the government to attach the property of Saveetha University to bring it to sale, Justice S Vaidyanathan said