W.P(MD)Nos.20587 and 20588 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 30.07.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI W.P(MD)Nos.20587 and 20588 of 2026 and WMP (MD) Nos.15270, 15271, 15273 and 15274 to of 2026 W.P(MD)No.20587 of 2026 Jyotsana Khandelwal ... Petitioner(s) vs. The Dean, Thanjavur Medical College, Thanjavur, Thanjavur District. ... Respondent(s) PRAYER: Writ Petition, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this court to issue a Writ of Certiorari, calling for the records relating to the impugned order in Ref.No.33/ME3/2026, dated 30.06.2026 passed by respondent and quash the same. W.P(MD)No.20588 of 2026 Harshit Alias Harshit Dander ... Petitioner(s) vs. 1/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)Nos.20587 and 20588 of 2026 The Dean, Thanjavur Medical College, Thanjavur, Thanjavur District. ... Respondent(s) PRAYER: Writ Petition, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this court to issue a Writ of Certiorari, calling for the records relating to the impugned order in Ref.No.33/ME3/2026, dated 30.06.2026 passed by the respondent and quash the same. For Petitioner : Mr. D.Rameshkumar (in both WPs) For R1 : Ms.K.R.Shivashankari, Counsel for State (in both WPs) COMMON ORDER These Writ Petitions have been filed challenging the impugned orders, both dated 30.06.2026, passed by the respondent, whereby the petitioners were permanently debarred from the college hostel and were temporarily debarred from undergoing the CRMI course for a period of six months. 2. Heard the learned counsel for the parties. 3. The learned Counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners have successfully completed the MBBS course and are presently 2/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)Nos.20587 and 20588 of 2026 undergoing the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI). During the course of the internship, an altercation took place between the petitioners and certain Postgraduate students, pursuant to which the matter was referred to the Disciplinary Committee. After conducting an enquiry, the Disciplinary Committee passed a resolution recommending that the petitioners be expelled from the college hostel and suspended from undergoing the CRMI course for a period of six months. Based on the said recommendation, the respondent passed the impugned orders dated 30.06.2026. 4. The learned Counsel fairly submitted that the petitioners are not seriously challenging that portion of the impugned orders directing them to vacate the college hostel. However, it was contended that the punishment of suspension from the CRMI course for a period of six months is highly disproportionate to the alleged misconduct and would seriously prejudice the petitioners' future career. It was therefore prayed that this Court may interfere with the quantum of punishment and suitably reduce the period of suspension. 3/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)Nos.20587 and 20588 of 2026 5. Per contra, the learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondent submitted that the petitioners were involved in a serious incident of indiscipline, during which they attempted to assault the Postgraduate students. The matter was duly enquired into by the Disciplinary Committee, which found the charges proved. Based on the findings of the Committee, the competent authority passed the impugned orders in accordance with law. It was submitted that under Clause C.3 of the Regulations, in cases of proven misconduct, the competent authority is empowered to suspend the internship. Since the punishment was imposed only after following the prescribed procedure, the same warrants no interference of this Court. Accordingly, he prayed for dismissal of the writ petitions. 6. This Court has carefully considered the rival submissions and perused the materials available on record. 7. The facts are not in dispute. Admittedly, the petitioners have successfully completed the MBBS course and are presently undergoing the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship. It is also not in dispute that, following 4/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)Nos.20587 and 20588 of 2026 an incident involving the Postgraduate students, disciplinary proceedings were initiated against the petitioners and based on the recommendations of the Disciplinary Committee, the impugned orders came to be passed. 8. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court is of the view that the decision of the respondent in directing the petitioners to vacate the college hostel cannot be faulted. The college administration is duty- bound to maintain discipline within the campus and therefore, the order directing the petitioners to vacate the hostel does not call for interference. However, insofar as the punishment of suspension from the internship for a period of six months is concerned, this Court is of the considered opinion that the same is excessive in the facts and circumstances of the present case. The petitioners have already completed the MBBS course and are only required to complete the internship to become eligible for registration and further career prospects. A prolonged suspension would seriously prejudice their academic and professional future. While the misconduct established against the petitioners cannot be condoned, the ends of justice would be met by modifying the punishment. Accordingly, the period of suspension from the CRMI course is reduced from six months to forty- 5/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)Nos.20587 and 20588 of 2026 five (45) days. The said period of punishment shall be reckoned up to 14.08.2026, and the respondents are directed to permit the petitioners to resume and continue their internship with effect from 15.08.2026, if they are otherwise eligible. 9. In fine, the impugned orders are confirmed insofar as they direct the petitioners to vacate the college hostel. However, the punishment of suspension from the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship for a period of six months is modified and reduced to forty-five (45) days, as indicated above. The respondents are directed to permit the petitioners to continue the internship from 15.08.2026. 10. Accordingly, the Writ Petitions are partly allowed to the above extent. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. There shall be no order as to costs. 30.07.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes PKN 6/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)Nos.20587 and 20588 of 2026 To The Dean, Thanjavur Medical College, Thanjavur, Thanjavur District. 7/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)Nos.20587 and 20588 of 2026 M.DHANDAPANI ,J. PKN ORDER MADE IN W.P(MD)Nos.20587 and 20588 of 2026 DATED : 30.07.2026 8/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis