Mumbai: DY Patil medical college, Navi Mumbai found itself surrounded with controversy after a postgraduate MD aspirant moved the High court alleging that the college asked her for an "unofficial sum" or "donation" of Rs 50 lakh in addition to the fees for an MD (dermatology) seat under the NRI quota.

In her petition, the aspirant alleged that she had been granted a provisional allotment for admission, on May 19 by the Directorate General of Health Service(DGHS). Though her document submissions were accepted by the college, no acknowledgment for the same was granted. On the day of payment of the fee, she was asked to pay an additional sum of Rs 50 lakh.
“Please save my seat. I got it on merit. They are selling it…. It will affect my career,’’ she pleaded seeking “urgent relief” from a vacation bench of Justices Ajay Gadkari and Shahrukh Kathawalla, quotes TOI

The judges said expressed their inability to grant immediate relief in the absence of representation from the college. The bench, in its order, stated: “Since notice is not given to the college we are unable to verify the allegation.” Free Press Journal reports that the Bombay High Court issued notice to the management of DY Patil Medical College and has sought its response to a plea

The DY Patil authorities expressed ignorance about the existence of such a case. Speaking to TOI an official said, however, there were “students who are allotted seats by the Centre and are unable to pay the fees upfront and they also want to hold on to the seat. We are not sure if this is the case. We will look into it”.

He said since seats in postgraduate courses were limited, not many admissions would be affected. The petitioner, he said would have to come up with proof for her allegation.

The college is affiliated to a deemed university and is not regulated for a fee by the state government, instead, it is the DGHS that looks after all fee-related matters.

A fee of Rs. 45 lakh is charged for a merit quota MD (dermatology) seat at the institute; while an NRI quota seat costs $1,00,000 (around Rs 67 lakh) as mentioned on its website, reported TOI.