Explain nod to 'unfit' colleges: HC to Indian Nursing Council

Bhopal/Jabalpur: The MP high court has asked the Indian Nursing Council (INC) to explain how nursing colleges deemed "unfit" by the CBI managed to secure recognition, and who was responsible for granting it.

Some of these colleges, also recognised by the MP Nursing Registration Council (MPNRC) and the MP Medical Education University, Jabalpur, were similarly found lacking by the CBI, the court said.

A division bench of Justice Sanjay Dwivedi and Justice AK Paliwal on Friday directed the INC to produce all documents related to the recognition of nursing colleges between 2018 and 2022.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging that a large number of "fake" nursing colleges are operating in the state, particularly in tribal regions that lack adequate infrastructure and trained staff.

Some students moved an application stating that they are not being given enrolment numbers. The court asked for a list of such students.

The court rejected an application moved by the petitioner seeking a probe into the quantum of money spent by the state govt in contesting the case in the high court. The court said the MP Nursing Registration Council and MP Medical Education University are autonomous institutions and they are entitled to hire a lawyer to present their side in the court.

In the previous hearing of the case on March 30, the state govt presented the original file regarding recognition and affiliation given to 'fake' nursing colleges across the state by state agencies like MPNRC and MP Medical Education University before the court.

President of the Law Students' Union, Vishal Baghel, filed a PIL raising the issue of a large number of 'fake' nursing colleges operating in the state, particularly in the tribal areas, without the requisite infrastructure or manpower to run the nursing courses.

In the course of the hearing of the petition, the high court ordered a probe by the CBI into the credentials of all the nursing colleges in the state and whether they have the requisite facilities to operate nursing courses.

The CBI gave its report in this regard to the court, which is now being examined by a committee constituted by the court, including hearing the side of colleges declared unfit by the CBI to operate the nursing colleges.