Complaint Regarding Retention of Original Documents by Bombay College

507 votes

No, the college cannot legally withhold your original certificates or make their return conditional upon paying ₹55,000. ​According to the mandatory guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC) on the Refund of Fees and Non-Retention of Original Certificates, Higher Educational Institutions are strictly prohibited from retaining students' original documents (such as HSC Marksheet, Leaving Certificate, Caste Certificate, etc.) under any circumstance or pretext. The college is only permitted to physically verify the original documents at the time of admission and must return them immediately. ​Withholding original documents to demand pending fees amounts to illegal retention and administrative extortion. The college can pursue separate recovery mechanisms for disputed dues, but it has no legal right to hold your personal property hostage, as this deprives you of your right to pursue further education.

Advocate Swati Navani LawRato

861 votes

Hi Please share govt. and college admission rules. You can file criminal complaint as well as well as complant to admisdion authority depending on course please visit our ofgice to discuss in detail we charge consultation fees.

Advocate Narayan Rokade LawRato

778 votes

Dear Client, the college’s withholding of your original documents, including your HSC marksheet and certificates, pending fee payment is an unlawful practice that violates consumer protection principles and educational regulations. Your documents are your property, and while the college may have a legitimate claim for unpaid fees, retention of original certificates is not a valid enforcement mechanism. Here’s how we can address this: First, send a formal legal notice to the college demanding immediate return of all original documents within 7 days, clearly stating that withholding them constitutes wrongful deprivation of your property and breach of your rights as a consumer. If the college fails to comply, we can file a consumer complaint under consumer protection law, which provides relief for deficiency in service and unfair trade practices—the college’s conduct qualifies on both counts. Alternatively, we can pursue a civil suit for recovery of documents and damages. Regarding the pending fees dispute, that’s a separate issue; even if the fees are genuinely owed, the college must pursue recovery through proper legal channels, not by illegally withholding your certificates. The college’s liability multiplies if this retention is causing you demonstrable loss (delayed admission, lost opportunity). I handle consumer matters and educational disputes, and I’m confident we can compel document return quickly

Advocate Bhumika Vijay Bajaj LawRato

764 votes

1)Do you have the proof or any receipt of the fact that you have given the college the possession of your documents? 2) Do you have it in writing from the college that they are asking for 55,000 rupees from you? 3) Have you requested the college to give you the documents in writing?

Advocate Smith John Colaco LawRato

920 votes

The ways that I have cannot be discussed openly here on the portal, it is possible for you to retain the documents without any issue from your previous institute which can be done with much lesser fees.. kindly get in touch 9️⃣9️⃣5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣7️⃣0️⃣0️⃣7️⃣9️⃣

Advocate Parth S Barot LawRato