In a significant ruling protecting students’ rights, the Telangana High Court has held that educational institutions have no legal authority to withhold original certificates under any circumstances. Justice Surepalli Nanda, hearing a writ petition filed by the parent of a junior college student, directed the concerned college and authorities to immediately release the student’s certificates, including the consolidated marks memo.

Background: A student’s future at risk

The petitioner’s daughter was studying at Alphores Girls Junior College, run by Respondents 4 and 5. Although the family had paid the full fees for the 2023–2025 academic years — including tuition, books, dresses, and refundable caution deposit — the college allegedly demanded an additional ₹75,000 to issue essential documents such as the long memo, bona fide certificate, and transfer certificate.

This demand was communicated through an undated, unsigned handwritten note sent by registered post.

With admission counselling for higher studies underway, the student urgently required these certificates. The petitioner approached the Board of Intermediate and Higher Education but, receiving no relief, approached the High Court claiming violations of Articles 14, 19, 21 and 21A of the Constitution.

Court’s findings: Certificates are the student’s property

Justice Nanda cited the Madras High Court decision in R. Pradeep Raj v. Commissioner, Directorate of Technical Education, 2019 SCC OnLine Mad 9385, which held that institutions have no lien over students’ certificates.

The Court reiterated that:

  • A student’s certificates are their personal property,
  • No institution may withhold them under the pretext of unpaid fees, and
  • Any pending dues can be recovered only through appropriate legal proceedings, not coercion.

The judge said educational institutions “cannot resort to coercive tactics to extract money”, emphasising that withholding certificates jeopardises a young person’s academic future.

No jurisdiction to block long memo

The Court also held that Respondent 5 had no jurisdiction to withhold the consolidated marks memo (long memo), calling the action arbitrary and illegal. The institution’s conduct, according to the Court, violated the student’s fundamental rights and risked loss of an academic year.

Court directs immediate release of documents

In its order, the Court directed the college to:

  • issue all original certificates, including the Intermediate consolidated marks memo,
  • within one week from the date of the order.

The ruling is expected to serve as a precedent safeguarding students from coercive practices by educational institutions, especially during crucial admission periods.