Patna High Court on Wednesday directed the Medical Council of India to reply by next Monday on why it did not take action against Katihar Medical College and Hospital for filling up postgraduate seats in the state’s quota.

The administration had one of three seats in postgraduation in community medicine course under its management quota. The rest was in the government’s quota. The college filled those seats from its own. The bench of Justice Mihir Kumar Jha passed the direction on a petition filed by Dr Seema Kumari. She sought direction to the medical college administration to get herself registered in the course, enabling her to appear in the final-year examination.

Dr Kumari had got admission in 2010 on the high court’s directive, increasing the number of seats to four. According to the provisions of Medical Council of India though, the number of sanctioned seats cannot be increased. So, the college was forced to register only three students for the examination and refuse registration to Dr Kumari.

The MCI secretary would have to appear before the court on Monday to explain the reasons if the additional affidavit is not filed by then.