Today, On 13th June, Delhi High Court demands report on inadequate facilities at DU Law Faculty. Three students have petitioned the High Court, citing the absence of essential infrastructure such as air conditioning, drinking water, and WiFi at the DU Law Faculty. The Court has appointed an amicus curiae to investigate the matter.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court took notice of concerns regarding the alleged lack of adequate infrastructure facilities at the Faculty of Law, Delhi University. In an order issued on June 12.
Justice Amit Sharma appointed Advocate Rajesh Mishra as an amicus curiae to help examine and resolve the issue.
The Court directed that a meeting be held between the Dean of Students’ Welfare, Delhi University, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Advocate Ankur Singh Mavi, who filed the plea before the High Court and the amicus curiae. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss and address the issues related to the provision of purified drinking water, availability of Wi-Fi services, and other infrastructural facilities at the Faculty of Law.
The High Court has taken this step in an effort to ensure that the students at the Faculty of Law have access to the necessary infrastructure and amenities, such as clean drinking water and reliable internet connectivity, to support their academic pursuits.
Justice Sharma also included the Bar Council of India (BCI) as a respondent in the case.
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Three students from Delhi University’s Law Faculty; Ronak Khatri, Ankur Singh Mavi, and Umesh Kumar approached the High Court, arguing that the absence of air conditioning in classrooms has made the environment unbearable, especially during the peak summer months when temperatures in Delhi can soar up to 48 degrees Celsius.
The plea stated,
“This situation contrasts sharply with the multiple air conditioners installed in administrative offices and staff rooms, highlighting a significant disparity in resource allocation. Additionally, the third building, constructed with makeshift materials like tin roofs and asbestos-lined walls, worsens the heat problem, creating an uninhabitable learning environment. Students, including Petitioner No. 1 (Khatri), have frequently suffered from heat strokes, fainting, and other related issues,”
The petition argued that with approximately 5,000 students at the Law Faculty, the provision of only four water coolers grossly inadequate to meet the demand.
The plea further stated,
“The drinking water situation is so dire that all the petitioners, having experienced health problems due to consuming campus water, have resorted to purchasing packaged drinking water. This expense has significantly increased their education costs. The money each petitioner has spent on these water bottles is nearly three times their annual college fee,”
Additionally, the petitioner-students highlighted that connectivity issues on campus hinder access to essential academic resources.
The University, however, claimed that adequate provisions for water coolers and drinking water already in place.
The Court has directed the University to coordinate with stakeholders, meet with the amicus curiae, and submit a report before the next hearing of the matter.
The court ordered,
“Let the meeting be scheduled at a mutually convenient time within one week from today. Mr. Mohinder J.S. Rupal, the learned counsel representing respondents Nos. 1 and 2, will coordinate with the mentioned stakeholders, and a report on the meeting will be submitted before the next hearing date,”
The case set for the next hearing on July 4.
Advocates Ankur Singh Mavi and Umesh Kumar represented the petitioners.
Advocates Mohinder JS Rupal and Hardik Rupal represented Delhi University.