PRANAY KUMAR PODDER Vs. STATE OF TRIPURA & OTHERS
Supreme Court of India (Division Bench (DB)- Two Judge)
Appeal (Civil), 4393 of 2017, Judgment Date: Mar 23, 2017
REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO.4393 OF 2017
(Arising out of S.L.P.(C) No.27388 of 2015)
Pranay Kumar Podder Appellant
Versus
State of Tripura and Others Respondents
W I T H
CIVIL APPEAL NO.4394 OF 2017
(Arising out of S.L.P.(C) No.30772 of 2015)
J U D G M E N T
Dipak Misra, J.
Leave granted.
2. The appellants, after crossing two scores and one, nurtured the
ambition, which is quite a usual feature to human nature unless the innate
nature is distracted by some kind of aberration, to prosecute medical
education and for the said purpose they appeared in the examination and
obtained the requisite marks to be selected. At that stage, the old saying
“the proposals conceived in mind are not always concretized” or the
beginning does not achieve the end or for many a reason, as it appears,
took the principal seat and the two students were declared to be ineligible
to take admission to MBBS course at the stage of counselling held on 23rd
June, 2015 on the score that they suffered partial colour blindness. In
such a situation, the appellants being determined and affirmatively
obstinate not to abandon their pursuit, approached the High Court of
Tripura at Agartala in W.P.(C) Nos.244 and 252 of 2015 seeking relief that
the declaration of ineligibility by the concerned Committee was absolutely
indefensible and legally impermissive. The submission of the appellants
was built on the foundation that there were no regulations framed by the
Medical Council of India under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956,
debarring the likes from admission, for in the absence of a regulation,
neither any instruction nor resolution of the MCI could throttle the right
to appear.
3. The stand and stance put forth by the appellants was resisted by the
State placing reliance on the recommendations of the expert Committee of
the Medical Council of India. The said recommendations are as follows:-
“The expert committee deliberated at length about the importance of normal
colour vision to pursue various subjects in the curriculum of MBBS course.
All the experts unanimously thought that the presence of normal colour
vision was indispensable to acquire the desired competency of a MBBS
doctor. The presence of good colour vision is also essential to pursue
post graduation in various disciplines of Medicine and Surgery. Moreover,
as the normal colour vision is essential all the services mentioned under
the category 'Technical' which included Indian Police Service, Indian
Forest Service, Railway Engineering Service, Indian Railway Traffic
Service, Posts on Marine establishment, Telegraph Engineering Services
etc., it is imperative that the doctor who conducts the medical exam of
these individuals should also have normal colour vision. The main
recommendations of the Committee were as follows:-
The testing of colour vision must be conducted in respect of all the
students for admission to MBBS course. The colour defective students
should not be allowed to pursue the MBBS course as a normal colour vision
is absolutely necessary for such a study.”
4. Apart from that, reliance was also placed on the recommendations
dated 12th October, 2004 of the General Body Meeting. The said
recommendations which are relevant are extracted hereunder:-
“1. Admission of visually handicapped persons for MBBS:
It is mandatory that the students who are selected to join MBBS course
should undergo an eye examination by a qualified Ophthalmologist and must
be certified to have best corrected visual activity of 6/9 in each eye. In
case of one-eyed person, the best corrected visual activity should be 6/6.
The candidate should be able to identify the three primary colours.
2. The time of onset blindness and continuation of their curriculum from
thereon:
Retention of normal vision is an absolute need for undergoing the training
in medical curriculum unlike in other streams of education like Arts and
Science. Medicine is a course where perfect vision is the absolute need.
The Committee recommends that a candidate who becomes visually challenged
after having been admitted to the course and completed to a reasonable
extent his clinical training may still be considered fit for assessment and
final examination. However, if the candidate develops visual challenge
before acquiring reasonable amount of knowledge and skill in clinical and
basic science he/she should be discharged from the course.”
5. The Division Bench of the High Court expressed the view that the
guidelines issued by the Medical Council of India deserves to be given its
due weightage by the Court and it should not interfere solely on the ground
that the Regulations are silent with regard to the denial of admission to
an individual suffering from colour blindness. Being of this view, it
dismissed the writ petition.
6. When the matter was listed on the previous occasion, having regard to
the nature of the issue that deserves to be delved into, we had appointed
Mr. K.V. Viswanathan, learned senior counsel, as Amicus Curiae to assist
the Court.
7. We have heard Mr. K.V. Mohan, learned counsel for the appellants, Mr.
Vikas Singh, learned senior counsel along with Mr. Gaurav Sharma, learned
counsel for the Medical Council of India and Mr. Shivam Singh, learned
counsel for the State of Tripura. Mr. Viswanathan, the learned friend of
the Court, has assisted the Court from many an angle.
8. It is submitted by Mr. Mohan, learned counsel appearing for the
appellants that the High Court has fallen into error by coming to hold that
in the absence of prohibition in the Regulations, the opinion of the
Committee would be binding. That apart, it is urged by him, final
decision has not yet been taken with regard to the eligibility of
candidates who suffer from Colour Vision Deficiency (CVD) by the General
Body for the purpose of prosecuting medical courses. Learned counsel would
submit that there is a distinction between visually handicapped person and
a person suffering from colour blindness or CVD, but the Medical Council of
India has treated both of them at par, as a consequence of which the likes
of the appellants have been compelled to face extreme discrimination. To
bolster his submission, he has commended us to a decision of the Delhi High
Court in Dr. Kunal Kumar vs. Union of India and Others[1]
and a judgment of the Rajasthan High Court in Parmesh Pachar vs. Convener,
Central[2].
9. Mr. Vikas Singh, learned senior counsel appearing for the Medical
Council of India, controverting the submissions of Mr. Mohan, contended
that the Regulations by the Medical Council of India may not be always
specific and exhaustive and, therefore, in the absence of any specific
regulation, it can issue instructions/guidelines or frame or indicate or
provide guidance for the purpose of eligibility criteria as regards the
candidates who can take admission in the medical courses, for a statutory
Council, in all circumstances, may not be in a position to visualise all
kinds of situations. It is his further submission that the General Body
has specified that the candidates should be able to identify three primary
colours and the same would mean that a person who suffers from colour
blindness is within the excluded category. That apart, submits Mr. Singh,
the judgments rendered by the Delhi High Court and the High Court of
Rajasthan are prior to the date of resolution passed by the General Body
and, therefore, this Court should not lay much emphasis on the judgments of
the said High Courts.
10. Mr. Shivam Singh, learned counsel appearing for the State of Tripura,
echoed the submissions of Mr. Vikas Singh, learned senior counsel for the
Medical Council of India.
11. Having noted the submissions of the learned counsel for the
contesting parties, the controversy could have become simpler as the issue
that emerges for consideration is whether the Medical Council of India can
debar the candidates suffering from CVD to undertake medical courses on the
basis of a decision taken by the General Body, but Mr. Viswanathan, learned
senior counsel appearing as the friend of the Court, submits that this
Court should travel beyond the narrow boundary of the binding effect of the
decision or the resolution of the General Body of the Medical Council of
India and perceive the controversy regard being had to the international
framework, research, practice and prevalence. We are disposed to think
that the submission advanced by Mr. Viswanathan in this regard is
absolutely justified and, therefore, we are impelled to proceed to record
the submissions advanced by him.
12. It is canvassed by Mr. Viswanathan that colour blindness has to be
understood as CVD and it happens when someone cannot distinguish between
certain colours, usually between green and red and occasionally blue.
Emphasizing on the said aspect, he has borrowed certain literature and
commented that the identification of a bush that has holly berries on it,
the observation by a pilot of the patterns of coloured lights at an airport
and learning about a person's health by their complexion are all tasks in
which a person with CVD may fail. Be it noted, the said concept finds
place in the Article written by J. Anthony B. Spalding.
13. Learned senior counsel, referring to various study material
available, has referred to Shinobu Ishihar, a Professor at Tokyo Imperial
University who, in the year 1916, had developed a diagnostic method which
is still the most common test for colour vision deficiency; and that test
is called Ishihara test. We do not intend to elaborate on the methods of
the said test.
14. Highlighting on the causes and prevalence, an article published under
the heading “Colour Vision Deficiency” has been brought to our notice. We
think it appropriate to reproduce the same:-
“a. Color deficiency is usually a hereditary condition linked to the ‘X’
Chromosome.
b. Color vision deficiency can also be acquired—not only as a result of
diseases or conditions of the retina, optic nerve, or more posterior visual
pathways in the brain—but also as a result of exposure to toxins and
certain drugs. Macular degeneration, optic neuritis, and strokes that
affect certain areas of the occipital lobe, for example, can affect color
perception. Head injuries, systemic diseases that damages nerves (e.g.,
multiple sclerosis), heavy metal poisoning, and certain medications (e.g.,
anti-malarials) also can affect color vision adversely.
c. Unlike congenital color vision defects, acquired defects often affect
visual acuity, are asymmetric from eye to eye, and may change as the
disease changes”[3].
d. Congenital CVD has a prevalence in the general population of 8% for
men and 0.4% for women[4].
e. Men are much more likely to be colorblind than women because the
genes responsible for the most common, inherited color blindness are on the
X chromosome. Inherited color blindness can be present at birth, begin in
childhood, or not appear until the adult years[5].
f. CVD prevalence varies from country to country and even race to race.
Vijayalakshmi et al, reported CVD in Hindu casts and religious groups of
different parts of India. The prevalence reported was 2.1% in 7542 males
and 0.2% in 3519 females [9]. In Western Nepal, in a study on 964 school
children (10–19 years age group), CVD was found in 18 boys with prevalence
of 3.8%, but none of the girls was found affected [12]. In USA, prevalence
of CVD in junior medical students was 12.8% [10]. A study among medical
students of Medical colleges, Kolkata, W.B. revealed prevalence of 4.8% in
males. The prevalence of red-green colour anomaly among males was 27.3% and
in females, 34.8%. There was significantly higher prevalence of red green
anomaly in females[6].”
15. Learned senior counsel has reproduced certain passages pertaining to
diagnosis of colour blindness from the article “Colour Blindness Causes,
Risk Factors & Symptoms”. They read as under:-
“3. Diagnosis of Color Blindness
a. Inherited color vision deficiency is usually diagnosed in early
childhood using simple screening tests. The Hardy-Rand-Ritter (H-R-R_ and
Ishihara Color Plates are used to evaluate the type and degree of color
deficiency. In these tests, the person is asked to identify the colored
shapes or numbers that lie within a jumble of dots and vary in color and
intensity. The physician detects and categorizes the deficiency based on
the person's responses.
b. The D-15 and the Fransworth-Munsell 100-hue disk-matching test
evaluate the ability to identify gradations of color by placing discs in
order[7].
c. In a September 2015 Article in the Indian Journal of Opthalmology[8],
it is mentioned that Though many methods for color vision testing are
available, there is no consensus on the ideal method, with different
countries using different tests. In India, the Ishihara charts are the
most widely used, with additional use of Edridge-Green lantern in civil
services and Martin lantern in armed forces.[1,2] The Ishihara test is
quick and easy and is an excellent screening tool to detect those with red-
green CVD. However, it has a limited ability to classify CVD and determine
its severity. Organizations that require the correct recognition of
colored signals (principally transport groups such as the Civil Aviation
Authority, Railways, Maritime, and Naval and Air force) depend on a
standard lantern test which imitates actual signal systems simulating the
workplace. Lanterns do not specifically screen for color defects. It is
surprising that even now, the general design of lanterns has not changed
very much since their creation in 1891. With the exception of the
Farnsworth lantern used in the USA, there are scarce studies on the
validation and reliability of lanterns. The panel tests, including the
Farnsworth Panel D-15 and Farnsworth–Munsell 100-hue tests, are much more
accurate in classifying color deficiency. Farnsworth Panel D-15 Test is
considerably quicker and more convenient test for routine clinical use.
Though not very sensitive, its speed and accuracy make it useful. The
relative insensitivity can also be an asset in judging the practical
significance of mild degrees of color deficiency. For example, individuals
who fail the Ishihara plates but pass the D-15 panel will probably not have
color discrimination problems under most circumstances and in most jobs.[3]
Nagels anomaloscopes is considered the gold standard for color vision
testing in clinical research, however, it is an expensive instrument
requiring an experienced examiner's skills. Color vision is graded into
higher and lower grade depending on the size of the aperture in the Edridge-
Green lantern (1.3 mm vs. 13 mm),[1] with the technical services category
of Indian civil services, which includes police services requiring higher
grade of color vision. The United States police service no longer
implements a color vision standard though monochromats are barred.[4] Those
who fail initial color vision screening by pseudoisochromatic plates should
be further evaluated by anamaloscope or D-15 test to include anomalous
trichromats who are the most numerous among the CVD persons. In an ongoing
study, 500 candidates who appeared in the divisional medical board were
studied. Ishihara chart was used for initial screening of all candidates
with further use of Edridge-Green lantern for candidates found to have CVD
and selected for jobs requiring high grade of color vision. Sixty
candidates (13%) were found to have CVD; 39 of those were selected for jobs
requiring accurate color perception. None of the candidates found to have
CVD on testing by Ishihara chart could pass the lantern test. Only 21
candidates found to have CVD were previously aware of their deficiency.
d. The Edridge Green-Lantern Test, 1891 is claimed to simulate railway
signals and is used in testing engine drivers in Great Britain. It was
used by the U.S. Navy for qualification of midshipmen and line officers
prior to adoption of the Farnsworth Lantern Test in 1953[9].
e. The Fransworth Lantern Test is the final qualifying test for the U.S.
Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
It also may be used by the U.S. Army for qualification of pilots and by the
U.S. FAA Aviation Medical Examiners. In addition, it is used by some U.S.
railroad systems and other organizations.[10]”
16. It is worth noting that Mr. J. Anthony B. Splading, in his article,
has found that medical professionals and practitioners suffering from CVD
have difficulty in detecting[11]:-
“Body color changes (pallor, cyanosis, jaundice)
Skin rashes and erythema -
Stage I pressure ulcers -
Blood or bile in urine, faces, sputum, vomit -
Malaena – Mouth and throat conditions -
Test strips for blood and urine -
Color coded charts, slides, and prints -
Color coded medications -
Color sensitive monitors”
17. Learned senior counsel would submit that the Ophthalmologist
Association of Australia has issued a publication in 2009[12] which covers
the following aspects:-
“i. No medical course excludes students with abnormal colour vision, with
the possible exception of a medical college in Taiwan that is known to have
had a policy in 1995 of excluding students if they failed the D-15 test.
ii. There have been colour vision requirements for medical courses in
Japan but efforts to relax these began in the late 1980s and it seems they
have been successful.
Iii. The prevalence of abnormal colour vision among medical practitioners
is probably the same as it is in the general population. While medical
practitioners with abnormal colour vision have reported that they sometimes
made errors due to their colour vision deficiency, it is not known how
often they occur and how serious they are.
iv. The errors that do occur need to be viewed in the context of the fact
that medical error is not uncommon and has a variety of causes. The right
approach to error minimization is to recognise errors when they occur,
identify their cause and find ways to avoid their recurrence. This
approach should apply to errors that may arise because of abnormal colour
vision.
v. Medical practitioners with abnormal colour vision can minimise errors
by their choice of specialty, by placing reliance on sources of information
that do not depend on colour and making sure they have good observation
conditions, especially good lighting.
vi. It was suggested that all medical students who have abnormal colour
vision should be aware of their deficiency before entering a medical
course, that they should know its severity and have an appreciation of the
kind of problems it may cause in their chosen career.”
18. Relying on the aforesaid literature, it is submitted by the learned
senior counsel that considering that an MBBS student is also authorized to
perform surgeries and the complete diagnosis and prognosis of a disease or
disorder may sometimes depend upon colour detection, there is requirement
for restriction in the field of practice of an individual with CVD in this
country. He has mentioned certain areas where difficulties may arise. The
said areas, according to him, are:-
“Pathology
Surgery and Surgical Branches (Ophthalmology, ENT, Gynae, Orthopaedics
Etc.)
Skin
General Medicine etc.”
19. According to the learned senior counsel, there are certain areas
where an individual with CVD can effectively practice and they are:-
“Psychiatry
Social and Preventive Medicine
Anatomy
Physiology
Pharmacology etc.
Anaesthetics”
20. At this juncture, we may refer to the decision of the Delhi High
Court in Dr. Kunal Kumar (supra). The learned Single Judge of the High
Court of Delhi made the following observations:-
“At the outset, I may notice that there is not hindrance or restriction on
the petitioner, who is a duly qualified and registered medical petitioner
to carry out his practice as a general physician. He is authorized to
prescribe drugs and treat patients, without acquiring any further post
graduate qualification. The petitioner has been found to be meritorious
student. He is found to be eligible for a course in M.D. (Pathology), based
on his ranking in the examination. Based on the report as received from
L.L.R.M. College, regarding the colour blindness, he had been declined
admission to M.D. (Pathology). There appears to be some justification for
denying admission to the petitioner in Pathology. This is because in
Pathology the concerned pathologist has to examine various colour slides
under a microscope. The inability to distinguish colours could be a
handicap in minute examination of various bacteria and examination of
different slides. However, this should not prevent the petitioner from
pursuing other courses or disciplines, where colour blindness may not be a
handicap. ”
In the said case, the High Court issued a writ of mandamus to grant
admission to the petitioner therein in the post-graduate course of
Psychiatry.
21. The Division Bench of the High Court of Rajasthan, in the case of
Parmesh Pachar (supra), referred to certain literature in the field and,
eventually, opined thus:-
“Thus, it is clear that in British, American, Australian and Canadian
medical schools, a student suffering from colour blindness is not barred
from being admitted. In the opinion of Professor Roger Robinson, Retired
Professor of Paediatrics at Guy's Hospital Medical School, London, as
expressed in his letter dated 28.6.2002 (referred to above), denial of
admission to a candidate by a medical school on the basis of red-green
colour blindness is unacceptable and discriminatory.
It is interesting to note that the Medical Council of India has recognised
medical degrees of various foreign universities even though they are
admitting students with colour vision deficiency or colour blindness. The
Second Schedule to the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, reveals that
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from University of Bristol,
University of Leeds, University of Liverpool, University of London,
University of Oxford, University of Sheffield, University of Wales,
University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, University of Dundee,
University of New South Wales, University of Melbourne, Dalhousie
University etc., are recognised.
It is queer logic that while a colour blind student can seek admission in
the aforesaid foreign universities, he cannot seek admission in the home
University. In case he qualifies in Bachelor of Medicine or Bachelor of
Surgery in spite of his colour vision deficiency, his qualification will be
recognised in India just because he has the stamp of a foreign university.
The deficiency which is considered to be a handicap for the purposes of
grant of admission in a home university, no longer remains a debarring
factor. This hypocritical policy has no logic and relevancy.
22. As advised, at present, we do not intend to either lean in favour of
the view of the Delhi High Court or generally accept the perception of the
view of the High Court of Rajasthan.
23. In the course of deliberation, it is submitted by Mr. Viswanathan
that complete ban on the admission of individuals suffering from CVD to the
MBBS course would violate conferment of equal opportunities and fair
treatment. To buttress the said submission, he has drawn immense
inspiration from certain articles from the Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities and Optional Protocol to which India is a
signatory. Article 1 of the said Convention deals with 'purpose'. It is
as follows:-
“The purpose of the present Convention is to promote, protect and ensure
the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms
by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent
dignity.
Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical,
mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with
various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in
society on an equal basis with others.”
24. Article 3 stipulates 'general principles'. We think it appropriate
to extract the same:-
“The principles of the present Convention shall be:
Respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy including the freedom to
make one’s own choices, and independence of persons;
Non-discrimination;
Full and effective participation and inclusion in society;
Respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part
of human diversity and humanity;
Equality of opportunity;
Accessibility;
Equality between men and women;
Respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities and
respect for the right of children with disabilities to preserve their
identities.”
25. Article 4 provides for 'general obligations' and Article 9 of the
Convention lays the postulate of accessibility. Learned senior counsel
would emphasize on the concept of accessibility, especially, clause (g) of
Article 9. That apart, he has drawn our attention to Article 51(c) of the
Constitution of India which is as follows:-
“51. Promotion of international peace and security.- The State shall
endeavour to -
(c) foster respect for international law and treaty obligations in the
dealings of organised peoples with one another.”
26. On the basis of the aforesaid, it is urged by the learned senior
counsel that with the progress of science, expansion of many vistas of
knowledge, inclusive culture having regard to inclusive society and respect
for differently-abled persons, it is obligatory on the part of the Medical
Council of India to take a progressive measure so that an individual
suffering from CVD may not feel like an alien to the concept of equality
which is the fon juris of our Constitution.
27. In Union of India vs. Devendra Kumar Pand and Others[13], a two-Judge
Bench has, after referring to two authorities in Union of India vs. Sanjay
Kumar[14] and Kunal Singh vs. Union of India[15], expressed doubt whether a
person lacking colour perception can claim to be a person entitled to any
benefit under the Act.
28. In this regard, a passage from Justice Sunanda Bhandare Foundation
vs. Union of India and Another[16] is apt quoting. It reads as under:-
“9. Be that as it may, the beneficial provisions of the 1995 Act cannot
be allowed to remain only on paper for years and thereby defeating the very
purpose of such law and legislative policy. The Union, States, Union
Territories and all those upon whom obligation has been cast under the 1995
Act have to effectively implement it. As a matter of fact, the role of the
governments in the matter such as this has to be proactive. In the matters
of providing relief to those who are differently abled, the approach and
attitude of the executive must be liberal and relief oriented and not
obstructive or lethargic. A little concern for this class who are
differently abled can do wonders in their life and help them stand on their
own and not remain on mercy of others. A welfare State, that India is, must
accord its best and special attention to a section of our society which
comprises of differently abled citizens. This is true equality and
effective conferment of equal opportunity.”
29. We are absolutely conscious that the said authorities have been
rendered in the context of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal
Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation Act), 1995 (for
short, 'the 1995 Act') and the said Act has been repealed in 2016 and a new
Act, i.e., the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (49 of 2016)
has come into force. The present case, needless to say, does not deal with
any kind of reservation as laid down in the said Act. However, it is urged
by Mr. Viswanathan, learned Amicus Curiae, that once colour blindness is
not considered as a disability under the 1995 Act and also not a disability
under the 2016 Act, the nature and severity of colour blindness and the
disciplines they can practise has to be given a re-look.
30. Though we are not deciding the controversy at present, for we are
inclined to issue certain directions to have a complete picture and
projection, yet we are disposed to observe that a human being is a
magnificent creation of the Creator and that magnificence should be exposed
in a humane, magnanimous and all-inclusive manner so that all tend to feel
that they have their deserved space. Total exclusion for admission to
medical courses without any stipulation in which they really can practise
and render assistance would tantamount to regressive thinking. When we
conceive of global phenomenon and universal brotherhood, efforts are to be
made to be within the said parameters. The march of science, apart from
our constitutional warrant and values, commands inclusion and not
exclusion. That is the way a believer in human rights should think.
31. In view of the aforesaid submissions, we direct as follows:-
(I) The Medical Council of India shall constitute a Committee of experts
that shall include the representatives of the Medical Council of India,
experts from genetics, ophthalmology, psychiatry and medical education, who
shall be from outside the members of the Medical Council of India. At this
juncture, we must appreciably state that Mr. Vikas Singh, learned senior
counsel, has submitted that the Court may say that the persons as experts
who are to be taken from outside, shall be from the All India Institute of
Medical Sciences (AIIMS), and the Post Graduate Institute of Medical
Education and Research, Chandigarh.
(II) The Medical Council of India may also invite Mr. K.V. Viswanathan
along with Mr. M. Shoeb Alam to assist them to take a view. Be it noted,
Mr. Vikas Singh has gladly accepted the suggestion.
(III) The expert Committee shall review the situation and take note of the
prevalent conditions of the study and practice and suggest changes for
adoption in the medical course keeping in view the international practices.
(IV) The expert Committee shall also concentrate on diagnostic test for
progress and review of the disorder and what are the available prosthetics
aids to assist CVD medical practitioners and what areas of practice could
they undertake without difficulty with these aids.
(V) The Committee shall meet within a period of three weeks and submit a
report to this Court within three months hence.
32. Let the matter be listed for further hearing on 11th July, 2017.
...........................J.
[Dipak Misra]
...........................J.
[A.M. Khanwilkar]
New Delhi
March 23, 2017.
-----------------------
[1] 101 (2002) DLT 471
[2] RLW 2003 (4) Raj 2284
[3] Colour Vision Deficiency – Publication Review by : Stanley J.
Swierzewski, III, M.D.
[4] Color Vision Deficiency in the medical profession – J Anthony B
Splading
[5] Facts About Color Blindness – National Eye Institute of the
National Institutes of Health, USA
[6] Prevalence of Colour vision Deficiency (CVD) In Medical Students in
Kolkata, West Bengal Dipa Saha1, Kaushik Saha2 Volume 15, Issue 9 Ver. XII
(September) 2016) PP 01-03 www.iosrjournals.org
[7] Supra 3
[8] Tests for Colour Vision Deficiency: Is it time to revise the
standards – Nidhi Pandey, A.K. Chandrakar, M.L. Garg : Pt. J.N.M. Medical
College, Raipur
[9] Color Vision Tests – National Research Council (US) Committee on
Vision - Procedures for Testing Color Vision; Report of Working Group 41.
Washington (DC) : National Academies Press (US); 1981
[10] Supra 9
[11] The Truth About Color Vision in Healthcare – Dr. Terrace L.
Waggoner Sr., O.D, Terrace L. Waggoner Jr.
[12] J Anthony B Spalding, Barry L. Cole, Fraz A Mir: Advice for
medical students and practitioners with colour vision deficiency: a website
resource – Clin Exp Optom 2010; 93: 1: 39-41
[13] (2009) 14 SCC 546
[14] (2004) 6 SCC 708
[15] (2003) 4 SCC 524
[16] (2014) 14 SCC 383