A student who topped his batch in the Department of Criminology, University of Madras, invoked the Right to Information Act to get a medal he was entitled to for being the first rank holder.
In his petition before the Tamil Nadu Information Commission, Raj Kapil P. said first rank holders of every batch in the Department of Criminology were entitled to two medals – the R.M. Mahadevan Gold Medal and the N. Pitchandi Medal. Though he was the topper of the 2014-16 batch, he was not given either medal at the convocation held in 2017.
After taking it up with the authorities concerned, he was given the Mahadevan Gold Medal in 2018 but not the other award. Citing instances where toppers were recognised with two medals, Mr. Kapil questioned why the Pitchandi Medal was not issued to him despite his eligibility.
