In Brief
The appellants sought mandamus to compel postgraduate medical admission authorities to hold additional counselling rounds to fill vacant seats for the 2016-2017 academic year. They contended that delays in the admission process were caused by Supreme Court directions and should not prejudice them. The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, holding that the maxim actus curiae neminem gravabit (court acts should prejudice no one) did not apply. Although court orders had caused procedural delays, appellants failed to act with necessary vigilance and promptly raise the issue during the litigation, only coming forward after admissions were completed. The admission process had been validly concluded following directions to revise merit lists per medical education regulations. Vacant seats could not be filled through extra counselling after the cut-off date had passed.
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