Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court, on Tuesday, reserved a decision of the Dental Council of India disapproving application of a dental college from Amravati for increase of seats from 50 to 100 for breach of principles of natural justice. A division bench consisting of Justice Ravi Deshpande and Justice Pushpa Ganediwala while allowing a petition filed by Vidarbha Youth Welfare Society which runs a dental college at Amravati, directed the Dental Council to grant a fresh hearing to petitioner-institution within two weeks and only then pass appropriate order.
As per the information, DCI turned down its proposal to increase BDS seats from 50 to 100 by a communication dated August 31, 2020. The petitioner contended that decision was contrary to procedure laid down by the Supreme Court in 2014 which had made it clear that DCI had authority to either approve or disapprove the scheme. However, in case the Central Government is proposing to disapprove the scheme, a final decision can be taken only after giving the person, authority or institution concerned, a reasonable opportunity of being heard. The Union and DCI fairly conceded that no hearing was granted to the petitioner institution. The High Court while setting aside impugned communication directed DCI to grant hearing in two weeks before taking a final decision.
