5-judge bench to decide on medical council

The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to set up a five-judge Constitution bench to decide upon the question whether the apex court-appointed Oversight Committee will continue to look after the affairs of Medical Council of India.

A bench of Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud allowed a plea made by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for some medical colleges, who said it was an urgent matter as counselling for admissions in MBBS and BDS was underway.

The court, however, clarified the five-judge bench would only sit for an hour on July 17.

A five-judge Constitution bench in 2016 had appointed a three-member Oversight Committee, headed by ex-CJI R M Lodha, to oversee the functioning of the MCI till the Centre put in place any other appropriate mechanism in this regard.

It had said that the committee would function for a period of one year, unless a suitable mechanism was brought in to substitute it. The Centre had told the court that it had taken steps to put the alternative mechanism in place and there was no need now for the Oversight Committee to continue.