Bankura Medical Student Expelled — In a significant disciplinary move that has sparked debates across academic and social circles in West Bengal, a fourth-year medical student from Bankura Sammilani Medical College has been expelled after it was confirmed that she used a forged Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate to gain admission under the reserved category quota. The expulsion was preceded by weeks of verification, tribal protests, and institutional scrutiny that now underscore the need for systemic reform in how reservation policies are implemented and verified in higher education.
Bankura Medical Student Expelled: Who is the Student?
The student in question, Juhi Kole, was admitted to the MBBS program in 2022 through the all-India NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) examination. She submitted an ST certificate issued from Jalpaiguri district to qualify under the Scheduled Tribe quota, securing a reserved-category seat at the Bankura medical institution.
While Juhi completed over two years of medical training, inconsistencies in her application—including her surname, regional origins, and other academic documentation—eventually drew scrutiny.
Red Flags and Certificate Discrepancies
According to insiders at the college, the suspicion began when faculty members noticed mismatches between the student’s official records and the caste certificate submitted at admission.
- The surname “Kole” is not typically associated with tribal communities from the Jalpaiguri region.
- The caste certificate lacked a digital verification code now standard in government-issued documents.
- Juhi’s residential details and community background were reportedly inconsistent with any recognized tribal lineage in North Bengal.
The college authorities then forwarded the certificate to the Jalpaiguri Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) and the West Bengal Backward Classes Welfare Department for authentication.
Official Confirmation of Forgery
The SDO’s office and the Backward Classes Welfare Department verified that the certificate was not genuine and had not been issued by their office. The West Bengal government, under the Health & Family Welfare Department, promptly issued instructions to expel the student, referring to her admission as a violation of Article 342 of the Indian Constitution, which provides constitutional protections to Scheduled Tribes.
Tribal Community Protests
After the news broke locally, tribal student unions and civil rights organizations staged protests outside the Bankura college campus demanding immediate expulsion of the student and stronger checks against such misuse of caste-based privileges.
The groups stated that forgery not only violates the law but deprives legitimate ST candidates of their constitutional right to access education and employment opportunities.
A representative from the Adivasi Ekta Manch, speaking at the protest, said:
“This is not just one fraudulent admission. It is an assault on generations of marginalized communities who continue to fight for their rightful place in institutions. We demand criminal action.”
Disciplinary Action and Police Case
Following confirmation from official agencies, Bankura Sammilani Medical College expelled Juhi Kole immediately. The administration also lodged a formal police complaint under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections pertaining to:
- Forgery (Section 465)
- Using forged documents as genuine (Section 471)
- Cheating (Section 420)
A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered, and legal proceedings are likely to follow, with possible arrest and trial.
Broader Implications for Admission Systems
This is not the first case of fraudulent reservation documentation, but it is one of the few that has resulted in direct expulsion and legal escalation.
Experts warn that unless systemic reforms are introduced, more such frauds could be occurring unnoticed. Issues identified include:
- Lack of centralized digital verification during NEET counselling and medical admissions.
- Over-reliance on self-declared certificates without third-party validation.
- Absence of cross-checking with district caste verification records during admissions.
An official in the West Bengal Medical Counselling Committee (WBMCC) anonymously stated:
“We process thousands of applications under reservation quotas every year. Without direct access to caste certificate databases, it’s impossible to verify authenticity in real-time.”
National Context: A Widespread Issue
India has seen numerous cases of fake caste certificates, particularly in professional courses like medicine, engineering, and law. In 2021 and 2022 alone, there were:
- At least 50 documented cases of SC/ST/OBC certificate fraud in medical colleges across states including Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.
- The infamous Vyapam Scam in Madhya Pradesh, where over 2,000 candidates used proxies, forged documents, or paid bribes for medical admissions, remains a chilling reminder of the systemic rot in competitive examinations.
Recently in Chennai, 20 students were debarred for forging their reservation or disability certificates to gain admission under NEET.
Legal Precedents and Penalties
According to Indian law, forging caste or ST certificates is a criminal offense that can result in:
- Imprisonment up to 7 years
- Cancellation of degrees and employment
- Reimbursement of all financial aid or subsidies misused
- Blacklisting from all government exams and recruitment
In several high-profile cases, courts have upheld strict punishments, reiterating that reservation is a right of the disadvantaged, not a loophole for the privileged.
Institutional Response & Reform Initiatives
The Health Department of West Bengal is now expected to issue fresh guidelines for all state-run medical colleges, including:
- Mandatory verification of caste certificates with district magistrate offices before admission approval.
- State-wide portal integration to cross-check reservation credentials during NEET counselling.
- Annual audit of reserved-category admissions at government institutions.
- Legal support for colleges to pursue criminal action in cases of fraud.
There is also a growing demand for a national caste certificate registry, accessible to all admission and recruitment bodies, to curb widespread document forgery.
Official Reactions
- West Bengal Health Department: “We have zero tolerance for fraudulent admissions. This case will be pursued legally, and steps are being taken to prevent future misuse.”
- Tribal Development Ministry (State): “We are considering mechanisms to protect tribal quotas from such fraud. Our youth must not be displaced by dishonest practices.”
- College Principal, Bankura Medical College: “The case has damaged institutional credibility. But it also gave us a reason to strengthen our admission vetting.”
Conclusion
Juhi Kole’s expulsion from Bankura Sammilani Medical College for using a fake ST certificate is not just a disciplinary action — it is a call to action for educational institutions, policymakers, and communities. It reminds us that while reservations aim to uplift the historically marginalized, their abuse undermines the system’s very integrity.
In the coming weeks, the spotlight will remain on how law enforcement handles the criminal case, how medical authorities strengthen verification, and whether such fraudulent acts finally meet firm legal consequences.
Official Links for Reference
- Bankura Sammilani Medical College & Hospital
- West Bengal Backward Classes Welfare Department
- West Bengal Health & Family Welfare Department
- NEET UG – Official NTA Portal
Also read: Home | Channel 6 Network – Latest News, Breaking Updates: Politics, Business, Tech & More
