SC stays Bombay HC order on MBBS, BDS admissions

The Supreme Court on Wednesday frowned upon the Bombay High Court taking up a plea for OBC reservations in all India quota seats (15%) in MBBS and BDS courses in medical colleges across the country.

"We see no reason why this issue has fallen for consideration before the high court," a bench of Justices S A Bobde and L Nageswara Rao said.

The apex court suspended the Bombay High Court's order of July 16 staying admission to MBBS and BDS courses under the OBC quota.

The high court passed its interim order while hearing a PIL by Akhil Bhartiya OBC Mahasangh, that contended 27% reservations for OBCs were not being observed in all India quota seats in medical colleges across the country.

The bench said the top court had on April 30, 1993, had directed that in case of any difficulty felt by the director general of health services (DGHS) or any other person, including the state authorities or universities in the implementation of the 'All India Quota Scheme', they can approach this court.

Additional Solicitor General Maninder Sinh, appearing for DGHS, contended that the Bombay High Court's Nagpur Bench had on July 31 directed that a copy of merit list of candidates, who are successful in the second round of counselling, be placed before itself.

"Until further orders, there shall also be ex parte interim stay of further proceedings before the high court," the bench said.

The bench issued a notice to the PIL petitioners on a plea filed by the Union government.