Authority: Supreme Court of India, Civil Appeal No(s). 2026 (Special Leave Petition (C) No.6078 of 2025)
Order Date: 14 July 2026
Case Overview
- Parties: Appellants – Palak & others (students of the International Institute of Veterinary Education and Research); Respondents – State of Haryana and the Institute (respondent No.3/College).
- Background: The appellants are students of the B.V.Sc & AH programme (five‑and‑a‑half year course) belonging to the 2019‑20 batch. The course commenced in the 2014‑15 academic session. Fee structure was initially fixed on 19‑08‑2015 and later amended on 07‑09‑2017.
- Government Revision: On 16‑12‑2020 the Haryana Government revised the fee structure, directing its applicability from the 2019‑20 academic session. This revision was affirmed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in its order dated 18‑12‑2024 (CWP No.2946/2024).
- High Court Proceedings: On 22‑01‑2021 the High Court recorded statements from counsel for the Institute indicating that the fee structure approved on 19‑01‑2021 applied only to the 2020‑21 session and not retrospectively. Counsel for the petitioners argued that the 2019‑20 batch had no cause of action thereafter. The writ petition was disposed as infructuous.
- Contentions before the Supreme Court: Appellants argued that the 16‑12‑2020 government order and the High Court judgment of 18‑12‑2024 should not affect the fee payable by the 2019‑20 batch. Respondents contended that the statements were merely informational and that remedies to challenge the orders remained available.
- Court’s Reasoning: The Court held that, for the 2019‑20 batch, justice requires the Institute to refund Rs 2,50,000 (Rupees Two Lakhs and Fifty Thousand) to each student and to refrain from demanding the remaining one‑third of the fee.
Final Outcome
- The Institute must return Rs 2,50,000 to each student of the 2019‑20 batch.
- The Institute shall not demand the balance one‑third of the fee payable.
- Encashment of bank guarantees covering 66 % (two‑thirds) of the fee shall be treated as full and final payment; no further demand shall be made.
- The Institute shall not withhold any certificates it may issue to the students.
- The order is limited to the facts and circumstances of the 2019‑20 batch and does not affect rights or liabilities of other academic batches.
- The civil appeal is disposed of in accordance with the signed order; any pending applications stand disposed.
Topics: Fee Refund; Veterinary Education