High Court Seeks Delhi University’s Response On Physical Infrastructure, Accessibility For Persons With Disabilities In Campus Law Centre

The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi University to file a comprehensive affidavit on the physical infrastructure and accessibility for persons with disabilities in the Campus Law Centre.

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav was dealing with a plea moved by one Jayant Singh Raghav, a student of the varsity suffering from a disability, raising the issue of providence of assistance devices to the students with disabilities during examinations.

The court asked the varsity to satisfy in the affidavit as to how the provisions of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, as well as the suggestions given by amicus curiae Advocate Kamal Gupta have been implemented.

“As a last indulgence, 7 days time is granted to the respondent no.1- University to file comprehensive affidavit to satisfy as to how the provisions of the Act of 2016 and the suggestions/report of the Amicus Curiae have been implemented by the University,” the court said.

On March 10, the amicus curiae had handed over his report to the court wherein certain suggestions qua physical infrastructure and accessibility in the CLC as well as regarding Raghav were made.

The report suggested that the Accessibility Guidelines and Standards for Higher Education Institutions and Universities, 2022, framed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) must be implemented immediately in CLC, Delhi University in time bound manner.

It was also suggested that an access audit of CLC must be directed to be conducted immediately and a report be submitted to the court.

The amicus curiae also suggested that at least 10 more ramps with tactile at various locations must be ordered to be erected immediately in the varsity and that a washroom for the disabled individuals be made functional on each floor as there was only one such toilet at present in the entire campus of CLC.

“The current building of CLC, DU does not have a lift, even though it is mandatory as per para 5.2.6 at Pg. 131 of the UGC Guidelines dated 12.7.2022, but the same is not being installed as the building of CLC, DU is very old and is sought to be demolished soon. It is, however, represented by the CLC, DU that the classes for PWD are being held only on the ground floor,” the amicus curiae’s report stated.

During the hearing on November 08, the counsel appearing for the Delhi Univeristy submitted that the repair work in toilets, corridors, open areas and provision of tactile and other facilities for persons with disabilities at CLC has been completed by the agency upto the satisfaction of varsity’s competent authority.

“Needless to state that the same was not only the expectation or the requirement under the provisions of the Act of 2016 or in the report submitted by the Amicus Curiae. It is to be seen that there are various other requirements to be adhered to by the respondent no.1-University,” the court said.

The matter will now be heard on December 07.

Counsel for Petitioner: Ms. Sanchita Ain, Advocate alongwith Mr. Habib Muzaffar, Advocate; Mr. Kamal Gupta, Advocate (Amicus Curiae) Ms. Kirti Gupta, Mr. Sparsh Aggarwal and Mr. Manish Vashist, Advocates

Counsel for Respondents: Mr.Mohinder J.S. Rupal, Mr. Hardik Rupal and Ms. Sachpreet Kaur, Advocates for University of Delhi; Mr. Tushar Sannu, Advocate alongwith Mr. Abhishek Singh and Mr. Naveen Bhati, Advocates for GNCTD; Mr. Apoorv Kurup and Ms. Gauri Goburdhun, Advocates for UGC

Title: JAYANT SINGH RAGAV v. UNIVERSITY OF DELHI & ORS.

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