Ascertain Infrastructure In Existence To Cater To Girl Students' Needs In Various Educational Institutions: Patna HC Constitutes 3-Member Committee

The Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice S. Kumar ordered thus after perusing the affidavits filed by the Universities indicating the infrastructure available in the educational institutions.

Background

On 22^nd of November, 2019, the Court had highlighted the apathy on the part of the functionaries of the State in not bothering to cater to the needs of the girl students in various educational institutions, more specifically within the municipal limits of Patna town.

The Court had directed the Secretary, Education to forthwith convene a meeting of all the stakeholders and take appropriate action, ensuring speedy construction of toilets in all the Government colleges/Universities in Patna town.

Further, on 01^st December 2020, the Court had directed the Vice-Chancellor of Patliputra University, Patna, and also Patna University, Patna to convene a meeting of all the stakeholders and have the campus of the respective colleges falling under their jurisdiction, inspected for verifying and ascertaining the factual position with regard to:

• Whether any toilet, moreso for ladies, stands established within the campus of the institution;
• If not, whether toilet stands established outside the campus of the institution, having exclusive excess to the students as also the teachers of the respective institutions and
• As to whether sanitization facilities and other conveniences are available or not.

Further, on 20^th February, the Court noted that several institutions within the municipal limits of Patna, are not having any infrastructure of public conveniences i.e. public toilets for ladies within their respective campuses.

Also, the Court had directed such institutions, to file affidavits indicating the time-frame within which such information would be made available, subject, of course, to feasibility thereof.

Further, on 08^th March, the Court noted that the picture emerged from the record reveals contradictory version, with respect to-

• The existence of Ladies' Toilets in 20 educational institutions affiliated with Patna University, 10 educational institutions affiliated with Patliputra University and 31 Government Schools;
• Availability of sanitary napkins vending and disposable machines.

Lastly, the Court constituted a Committee of three Lady Advocates comprising of Mrs. Archana Sinha, Ms. Anukriti Jaipuriyar and Ms. Amrisha Srivastava to visit the Institutions (referred to in the chart presented before the Court), for ascertaining the exact status of the existence and functionality of the infrastructure.

The Committee has been directed to submit the report within a period of one week and the matter has been listed for further hearing on 23^rd of March, 2021