The Madhya Pradesh High Court has instructed the Director of Medical Education (DME) to return the original documents of a young tribal doctor who left his PG course midway due to harassment and mental stress. The court set a deadline of March 2, 2026, for the return of the documents, warning of potential contempt proceedings for non-compliance. The court had previously issued a similar order on February 19, 2026, which was not adhered to by the authorities.
Dr. Ajay Mandloi, a resident of Barwani district, completed his MBBS degree from Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College in 2019 and was pursuing PG MS Gynaecology before leaving due to alleged ragging and mental health issues. Mandloi, belonging to the tribal community, cited financial constraints in paying the Rs 30 lakh “seat leaving bond” as a reason for discontinuing his studies. This bond is a common practice for medical students to prevent seat blocking and wastage of medical seats.
Advocate Aditya Sanghi, representing Dr. Mandloi, emphasized the significance of the court’s directive in enabling Mandloi to pursue employment opportunities. Sanghi highlighted that the issue of seat leaving bonds has been a topic of discussion in various forums, including the parliament, urging states to review such policies. The retention of the bond system in states like Madhya Pradesh has sparked debates among medical professionals and students.
The case of Dr. Mandloi resonates with a tragic incident involving a 24-year-old female doctor, Akanksha Maheshwari, who took her own life while pursuing her PG in Pediatrics in Bhopal. Maheshwari’s final message to her father indicated financial constraints as a factor in her decision. The challenges faced by medical students regarding seat leaving bonds have raised concerns within the medical community in Madhya Pradesh.
