Hyderabad: The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) is grappling with a surge in student complaints against colleges withholding their original certificates. Over the past two months, the commission disposed of more than 28 such cases, directing institutions to release documents without delay.

Officials said the problem is far from easing, with dozens of fresh complaints expected to be filed in the coming week alone. Students allege that despite completing courses and clearing dues, colleges often withhold their certificates citing fee disputes.

For students, the consequences are severe. Without certificates, many are unable to apply for higher studies, shift to other institutions, or take up job offers. S Ramesh, a recent engineering graduate, said he lost a job opportunity after his college withheld his degree certificate, citing hostel dues he said he had already cleared. “Despite repeated requests, they refused to release my documents. My employer withdrew the offer after I couldn’t produce my documents in time,” he said.

P Meghana, who completed her BSc this year, faces the risk of losing her UK university admission. “My college says it will take months to issue migration and provisional certificates, claiming that the files are stuck in the administration department. But the deadline for my admission is just weeks away,” she said.

Another student alleged that his college demanded Rs 2 lakh from each student, claiming pending scholarship reimbursements, before their certificates could be released.

Shameem Akther, chairperson of the commission, said that educational institutions have no legal authority to detain student certificates, regardless of fee disputes. “The practice of retaining original certificates of students by colleges, particularly when a student chooses to discontinue his/her studies, is wholly impermissible and legally unjustified.”

“Institutions have no legal right or lien over the original certificates of students, regardless of any fee disputes or administrative claims,” Akther said, adding that such actions are coercive and violate the student’s right to education and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.