Plea Seeking Girls Hostels In Delhi University: Delhi HC Issues Directions To DDA

Delhi High Court directed Delhi Development Authority to scrutinise applications received from various colleges for construction of girls hostels efficiently, and in accordance with law. The court was hearing a PIL seeking construction of more hostels for girls studying in the Delhi University.

In Hemlata Rawat v. Union of India, the Petitioner sought for directions to be issued to the Delhi Development Authority to seek applications from various authorities for allotment of land to construct hostels for girls. He argued that in 2002, DDA had promised more hostels for girls studying in DU but the same has not been implemented till date. Moreover, the said development authority never asked for applications from colleges or other authorities for allotment of land to construct hostels.

The Petitioner pointed out the aversions made in the counter-affidavits filed by DDA, DU and the Government of Delhi. All these affidavits appeared to evade the responsibility of constructing more hostels for girls. While DU had said that the same has to be decided by governing bodies of each College, GNCTD passed the responsibility to DU by saying that the same can't be taken up by the government.

It was also highlighted by the Petitioner that protests and strikes are constantly taking place in the University demanding more hostels. Moreover, due to lack of hostels, girls have to resort to private accommodations which are unsafe or charge exorbitant rents.

While, on the other hand, it was submitted by DDA that they have received applications from some colleges and they're considering the same.

The Division Bench of Justice DN Patel and Justice Hari Shankar, while disposing off the petition, opined that there will always be a gap between the total number of students and the number of available hostel accommodations.

The court directed DDA to scrutinise all the applications that are received by them for allotment of land for hostels, efficiently and in accordance with the law. Moreover, if the demand made in the applications are valid, the same should be processed and further action should be taken without any delay.

The Petitioner was represented by Advocate Deepak Anand