CHENNAI: Expressing that retention of the original certificates of staff by educational institutions on any ground is not legal and proper, the Madras High Court, while disposing a writ petition, ordered a private engineering college to return the certificates, without prejudice to their right to proceed against the petitioner claiming damages in the court.
The writ petition was filed by C Shanthi against Vel Tech High Tech Dr Rangarajan Dr Sakunthala Engineering College, Chennai.
According to the petitioner, she was employed as an assistant professor in the college.
At the time of joining service, she had handed over her certificates in original with the college.
But when she was terminated and asked to submit her resignation letter, the college authorities refused to return the original certificates.
On the other hand the college contended that the petitioner has left the college voluntarily and hence she must pay damages for leaving service without serving the notice period and they would return the certificates only if she agreed to pay the damages.
The court closed the petition stating that after returning the certificates to the petitioner the disposal of the writ petition could not come in the way of the college proceeding against the petitioner, if so advised, for damages before the competent civil court.