JJ hospital agrees to return documents to two doctors without bond deposit after undertakings

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court vacation bench on Tuesday directed Grant Medical College, JJ Hospital to hand over the original documents to 2 junior resident doctors by evening, after they resigned soon after their admission to a neurosurgery super-specialisation MCH course. The bench said the hospital should not insist on a Rs 20 lakh bond deposit, following undertakings by the 2 doctors to claim no equity. Based on their undertakings, the college agreed to return the original documents, the HC noted in its order.The 2 doctors needed the documents for admission to AIIMS. The 2 doctors undertook before the HC that they would pay the Rs 20 lakh bond, as provided in the admission rules, if the HC in its final order directed so.The HC also recorded and accepted the statement of the doctors’ senior counsel, Aditya Sanghi, that they withdrew their allegations against JJ Hospital about the hostel being unsanitary and living conditions being cramped, with no privacy, after the State lawyer said the claims were uncalled for.Navi Mumbai-based Swapnil Kolape and Lucknow-based Pooja Modanwal, both 31 years old, joined JJ Hospital between June and August and soon resigned, citing allegedly “unsanitary” living conditions at the hostel and sleep deprivation.They approached the HC, aggrieved by Grant Medical College, JJ Hospital refusing to return their original documents unless they both deposited Rs 20 lakh each as a bond, stating they were being forced by the State to deposit Rs 20 lakh as a bond.On December 29, the vacation bench HC Judge, Justice Ashwin Bhobhe, heard Aditya Sanghi, senior counsel who appeared for the young doctors, and Jaymala Ostwal, Additional govt Pleader for the State and the hospital. Ostwal suggested they file an undertaking.Both doctors undertook to abide by the final orders in the matter and to claim no equity. The college and hospital expressed satisfaction with the undertaking and agreed to return the original documents.Ostwal cited rules from the brochure on penalty and bond for non-completion of the junior residency tenure, and for a lapse of seat or admission cancellation after the cut-off, requiring students to pay Rs 20 lakh.Sanghi argued that the duo were brilliant students, resigned on November 11, and since then appeared for the NEET SSC entrance and qualified for MCH at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi (AIIMS). He said they would be deprived of the opportunity for want of the documents. With the HC order, they would now secure their AIIMS seat, Sanghi said.