The Delhi High Court has asked the Indian Nursing Council (INC) to consider a representation seeking the creation of a formal grievance redressal mechanism to address complaints of students facing various grievances against private nursing institutions, including the practice of forcing graduates into service bonds and withholding their original certificates.
Disposing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Indian Professional Nurses Association (IPNA), a Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia on March 27 directed the association to submit a detailed representation to the INC within two weeks, along with supporting documents. The court said the Council must take an appropriate decision within two months thereafter.
The court also observed that the INC should seriously consider the need for a grievance redressal system where complaints can be examined and decisions properly communicated to complainants.
IPNA, represented by advocate Joe Sebastian, alleged that despite regulatory prohibitions, several nursing colleges across the country continue to impose so-called “service bonds” requiring students to work in affiliated hospitals for fixed periods, often while retaining their original educational documents to enforce compliance.
