After 25 yrs of no response, Orissa high court junks PIL on medical college hostel

CUTTACK: The Orissa high court has disposed of a PIL registered in 1998 after finding that though notices were issued on the petition, there was no response from the authorities concerned for the past 25 years.

The PIL was registered on the basis of a letter petition addressed to the high court chief justice by the president and hostel secretary of the students’ union of SCB Medical College, Cuttack on the alleged unhygienic conditions in the old boys’ hostel. The letter enclosed video cassettes depicting the poor conditions the students were living in.

Taking note of the status of the PIL on Thursday, the two-judge bench of acting Chief Justice B R Sarangi and Justice M S Raman said, “This letter was addressed in the year 1998 and in the meantime, more than 25 years have passed. As such, no affidavit has been forthcoming. On perusal of the records, it appears that the problems faced by the students of the SCB Medical College, Cuttack relate to building condition, sanitation, latrine and bathrooms, watchman and gardener, electric wiring, absence of cycle stand and telephone, illegal cycle stand trekker parking and unhealthy atmosphere.”

“Since the SCB Medical College is a premier medical college, the grievances of the students of the college should be taken care of by the authority. Therefore, this court disposes of this petition with a direction to the state authority to look after the aforesaid problems and take remedial measure for the larger benefit of the students of the SCB Medical College. However, if the students have some other grievances, they may approach the appropriate forum, so that the same can be taken care of by the authority,” the bench also said.

The HC had issued notices on the PIL to the state authorities on May 15, 1998.