Madhya Pradesh HC directs CBI to probe irregularities over recognition given to 35 nursing institutions

Gwalior: The Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the irregularities over the recognition given to 35 nursing institutions in the Gwalior-Chambal region by the MP Nursing Council in 2019-2020. 

Expressing concern over the case, the division bench of Gwalior comprising Justice Rohit Arya and Justice Milind Ramesh Phadke asked the agency to submit a report within three months. 

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Earlier, the HC bench directed for a CBI probe into the functioning of 35 private nursing colleges that did not have recognition from competent authorities but admitted students for the 2019-20 academic session unlawfully, MP Additional Advocate General MPS Raghuvanshi told reporters. 

The petitioners sought the court's order in directing Medical Science University, Jabalpur to open the portal for the enrolment of left-over students of Nursing Courses in order for them to appear in the forthcoming examination pertaining to nursing courses ie, BSC, Post Basic BSC and MSC.  It has been alleged that a number of students were admitted to the institutions or colleges on or before October, 2019 which is prior to the grant of recognition. 

These colleges had moved the HC last year seeking help to get their institutes recognised from competent authorities, Mr Raghuvanshi added. Dr Jiteen Shukla, Director (Medical Education) of the Medical Education Department, Colonel Sarabjit Singh Kaur, Secretary of Indian Nursing Council and Deepak Purohit, Deputy Superintendent of Police of CBI were present during the hearing, he informed.

"The 35 colleges gave admission to students despite not having recognition. These institutes lack infrastructure. Several irregularities in the functioning of the colleges had come to the fore during hearings," the Additional Advocate General said. He observed that both MP Nursing Council and Medical Science University did not adhere to the requirement of law in the matter of granting recognition, registration and affiliation, reports the Times of India. 

Various students who could not get registered despite being admitted approached this court with the relief that Medical Science University be directed to open the portal for enrolment of left-over students. 

The CBI director was asked to give the responsibility of investigation to a senior officer along with a team of officials who could then look into the affairs and activities of the Indian Nursing Council, MP Medical Science University and MP Nursing Council over the recognition granted by the Indian Nursing Council up to 2017 and the suitability certificates provided to various nursing colleges in Madhya Pradesh. 

The court ordered investigation into  the recognition granted by MP Nursing Council to Nursing Colleges in Madhya Pradesh, particularly to these 35 petitioners, in addition to the affiliation and registration/enrolment granted to the students of various nursing colleges by MP Medical Science University. Further, the Indian Nursing Council, MP Nursing Council and MP Medical Science University have bee directed to provide the logistics, manpower, assistance and documents to CBI, along with granting them the agency to inspect other institutions as well. 

The order states, "The clandestine manner of granting recognition and admitting Institutions/Colleges to the privileges of the Medical Science University (affiliation and enrolment) with an oblique motive to achieve collateral purposes is ex facie apparent, jeopardizing public health and life of innumerable patients in hospitals and primary health centres, at the hands of so-called students of such colleges holding certificate of qualified nurse."

It further adds, "That apart, if the affairs prevailing in such statutory bodies are not checked through a comprehensive enquiry by an independent body, grave irreparable harm shall be caused to the society at large as recurrence of such illegalities cannot also be avoided in times to come, at the cost of public health and human life."

The court ensured that the 23 files submitted in sealed forms by MP Nursing council would be kept safe in the custody of the principal registrar of this court. Further, the Madhya Pradesh Medical Science University Jabalpur is required to submit the original records of 35 petitioners in a sealed cover with the Principal Registrar of this court. Similarly, the Indian Nursing Council has also been asked to give the original records of 35 petitioners in a sealed cover within seven working days. Subsequently, the principal registrar is required to hand over the records to the CBI when the latter makes a request. 

The next hearing in the case will be held in January.