The Gujarat high court on Monday directed the state government to have a fresh medical examination carried out of a disabled student to ascertain whether he is suitable for an MBBS seat. The case relates to MBBS candidate, Mayur Mulchandani’s, admission. The student from Deesa was assessed with disability between 40-80 percent. He had applied in the quota for disabled people. However, the medical board held that he is not suitable to study medicine because of the poor muscle strength of his right arm because of cerebral palsy.
After expressing its dissatisfaction at the student’s rejection, the bench of Chief Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Ashutosh Shastri asked the student to remain present in court on Monday. On the Chief Justice’s instruction, the student lifted his hand on cue. His advocate, Kaash Thakkar, showed videos to government lawyers in which the student was seen lifting dumbbells and an empty gas cylinder weighing 15.3kg with his right hand.
The judges ordered the government to carry out a fresh examination of the student by the medical board and to inform the court whether the board assesses him to be suitable to pursue an MBBS degree. The student’s re-examination will be carried out on Tuesday morning at Civil Hospital by a panel of three doctors.
