Authority: High Court of Judicature at Madras

Order Date: 16-10-2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioner: Minor Shifa Shanavaz, represented by her father and natural guardian Mohammed Shanavaz, filed a writ petition (WP No. 42923 of 2026, WMP No. 48273 of 2026) seeking a mandamus to cancel her admission to the BDS course for the academic year 2026‑27 at Karpaga Vinayaga Educational Trust and to permit participation in the upcoming mop‑up (All India Quota and State Quota) counselling rounds; she also requested the return of her original documents.
  • Respondents: 1) Union of India (Joint Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education), 2) National Dental Commission, 3) Selection Committee (Directorate of Medical Education), 4) Director General of Health Services (Ministry of Health & Family Welfare), 5) Medical Counselling Committee, and 6) Karpaga Vinayaga Educational Trust (Managing Trustee).
  • Background: The petitioner qualified in the NEET UG (Dental) examination and secured a seat in the sixth respondent college based on OBC reservation. She initially produced a BC (Muslim) community certificate issued by the State of Andhra Pradesh, later obtained a Tamil Nadu certificate, but the college demanded a Central Government OBC certificate, which her community is not listed under in the Central OBC list.
  • Respondent Argument: The Additional Government Pleader for the third respondent contended that the third round of counselling had already been completed, the petitioner had secured an All India Quota seat, and a notice dated 10.10.2026 from the Directorate General of Health Services prohibited switching from All India Quota to State Quota in stray rounds, rendering a further seat request untenable.
  • Petitioner Position: The petitioner was willing to risk losing the stray round opportunity and sought a court direction to cancel her admission and return all original certificates.

Final Outcome

  • The Court directed Karpaga Vinayaga Educational Trust to cancel the petitioner’s admission and to return all original certificates/documents submitted during counselling.
  • It was expressly clarified that the petitioner is not entitled to any benefits in the stray (mop‑up) round, even if she might be eligible.
  • The writ petition is disposed of; costs are awarded; the connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

Topics: Education Admission, Reservation Policy, Legal Order