Telangana High Court Slams Private Colleges for Withholding Students’ Certificates
PakkaHyderabadi 
Telangana High Court strongly criticized private colleges for illegally withholding students’ original certificates over pending fee reimbursement dues, calling the practice unlawful and harmful to students’ futures.
The Telangana High Court has expressed strong displeasure over the conduct of private colleges that withhold students’ original certificates under the pretext of pending fee reimbursement dues. The court categorically stated that harassing students on the grounds of non-receipt of fees is illegal and issued important directions to the State Government in this regard on Wednesday.
Various student organizations had approached the High Court, demanding action against colleges that refuse to return certificates citing unpaid fees. While hearing these petitions, the court made significant observations.
A bench headed by Chief Justice A. P. S. Singh directed the government to submit complete details within two weeks regarding the total amount of fee reimbursement dues pending and the timeline for clearing those payments.
The court made it unequivocally clear that no educational institution has the right to withhold students’ certificates or keep them as collateral in lieu of pending fee payments. The bench observed that such actions severely affect students’ futures and their employment opportunities.
The court also advised the government counsel to establish a dedicated mechanism for registering complaints from students who are being harassed by private colleges and to ensure their grievances are addressed promptly.
