Jabalpur High Court Issues Notice To Medical College Deans
Notices issued over promotion criteria controversy, petitioners claim unfair promotions.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court's principal bench in Jabalpur has issued notices to the deans of medical colleges in the state. This move comes after a controversy surrounding the promotion of assistant and associate professors.
The notices were issued by Justice Vivek Singh, who is seeking the deans' stand on seniority and promotion criteria at government medical colleges. According to petitioners' advocate Aditya Sanghi, the notices are a response to allegations of unfair promotions.
One such case is that of Dr Ruchi Agarwal, who was working as a demonstrator in BMC, Sagar. Despite being meritorious and senior to her junior, Agarwal was not promoted as assistant professor. Instead, her junior was given the promotion. The reason cited for this decision was that Agarwal could not get 13 marks as per the rule.
However, senior advocate Aditya Sanghi argued that the rule of 13 marks came into effect only in 2025, whereas the advertisement for promotion to the post of assistant professor was issued prior to this rule. Furthermore, confidential reports were not given to the petitioner, which is in contrast to the Supreme Court order that states CRs should be communicated immediately to the candidate.
A similar controversy has also arisen in Bhopal, where acting professors were promoted over associate professors in Gandhi Medical College (GMC). Associate professors from departments such as oncology, cardiology, and endocrinology were denied promotions, while acting professors like Surendra Raikwar and Dr Sabiha Sultana were given priority.
The petitioners have argued that such promotions are unfair and have sought a stay on further promotions. The High Court's decision to issue notices to the deans of medical colleges is a significant development in this case.
The controversy surrounding promotions in medical colleges has sparked debate about the criteria used for promotions. The Madhya Pradesh High Court's intervention is expected to bring clarity on this issue.
The case highlights the need for transparency and fairness in the promotion process. The petitioners' arguments that the rule of 13 marks was not applicable at the time of the advertisement and that confidential reports were not communicated to the candidate have raised questions about the promotion criteria used by the medical colleges.
The High Court's decision will be closely watched, as it will have implications for the promotion process in medical colleges across the state. The court's ruling is expected to provide clarity on the promotion criteria and ensure that promotions are made fairly and transparently.
In conclusion, the Jabalpur High Court's notice to the deans of medical colleges is a significant step towards addressing the controversy surrounding promotions in medical colleges. The court's decision will have far-reaching implications for the promotion process and will help to ensure that promotions are made fairly and transparently.
The case also underscores the importance of following established rules and procedures in the promotion process. The petitioners' arguments have highlighted the need for transparency and fairness in the promotion process, and the High Court's decision is expected to bring clarity on this issue.
Overall, the controversy surrounding promotions in medical colleges has sparked a necessary debate about the promotion criteria used by medical colleges. The Madhya Pradesh High Court's intervention is expected to bring transparency and fairness to the promotion process, and its decision will be closely watched by all stakeholders involved.
Frequently asked questions
What is the controversy surrounding promotions in medical colleges?
The controversy surrounds the promotion of assistant and associate professors, with petitioners claiming that promotions were made unfairly and without following established rules and procedures.
What is the rule of 13 marks?
The rule of 13 marks is a criterion used for promotions, which was introduced in 2025. However, petitioners argue that this rule was not applicable at the time of the advertisement for promotion.