Delhi HC directs AIIMS to conduct medical examination of student with mental illness

Delhi High Court has asked AIIMS to conduct a medical examination of a student suffering from temporary mental illness to assess if he can take admission to MBBS/Dental courses.

A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Navin Chawla has directed All India Institute Of Medical Science (AIIMS) to conduct a medical examination of a student suffering from temporary mental illness to evaluate if he can take admission to MBBS/Dental courses. The court observed that the National Medical Commission (NMC) did not provide any reservation for persons suffering from mental disabilities.

Background of case

Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Delhi had issued a disability certificate to the petitioner stating that his disability is in the range of 40-70% and he is not eligible for admission to any medical or dental courses. The certificate recognizes that mental illness is temporary in nature. The petitioner approached Delhi HC against the certificate claiming that he has been a meritorious student having ranked 256 in the General - PwD category and secured admission to BSc Microbiology Course at Delhi University, as reported by Live Law.

Medical examination report to be sent to court in sealed cover latest by April 4

The bench said, "It seems that your system is intolerant towards the disabled."

It ordered, "The Director may constitute a Board for evaluation of the petitioner's condition in the light of this order. The report be sent to the Court in a sealed cover on or before the next date of hearing." 

The matter is scheduled for the next hearing on April 4, 2022.

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