"Provisionally Admitted In PhD Programme": JNU Informs Delhi High Court In Natasha Narwal's Plea

The Jawaharlal Nehru University has informed the Delhi High Court on Thursday that Natasha Narwal has provisionally been admitted in PhD programme for Monsoon session 2020 and Winter session 2021 and will be entitled to benefits of University's Rules regarding provisional registration.

Advocate Monica Arora appearing for JNU informed a single judge bench comprising of Justice Prateek Jalan who was hearing a petition filed by Narwal seeking permission to be admitted in the University and also directions on the University to issue her a login ID and password to enable her to register in the University.

"My statement may be recorded. We have given her provisional registration. She will be entitled to the benefits of provisional registration as per University Rules." Monica Arora submitted.

Advocate Adit S Pujari appearing on behalf of Narwal submitted before the Court that the JNU through a counter affidavit filed in the matter dated 18th May made a statement that it will consider her registration as and when she gets out of jail.

He also apprised the Court that when the same notice was issued by the University to Narwal, she was out of jail on interim bail and did the registration process. However, he indicated that he was not sure as to whether the process has been completed from JNU's end.

"Unfortunately we don't know. It's completely opaque. We don't know what is their position today." Pujari submitted.

On this, Arora submitted before the Court on instructions that a show cause notice was issued to Narwal which they had replied on May 29, 2021 wherein it was stated that they have been registered as student in the respective sessions. However, she submitted that Narwal had not replied to the show cause notice entirely.

"They have just stated that provisional registration is done. They have to join the JNU proceedings." Arora submitted.

At this juncture, observing that the show cause proceedings were not an issue in the petition, Justice Jalan noted that all the prayers in the writ petition stand satisfied.

However, Pujari submitted that the show cause notice does not survive anymore if Narwal has been given admission and that she had responded to it after coming out of jail.

"Don't pitch your case that high. I'll only record her statement." Justice Jalan said.

Hearing the submissions made, the Court ordered thus:

"Ms. Monica Arora appearing on behalf of Respondent JNU says that the petitioner has provisionally been registered in PhD programme for Monsoon session 2020 and winter session 2021 even during the pendency of proceedings of show cause notice enumerating from the notice."

"Ms. Arora informs that pursuant to the registration, she will be entitled to all the benefits of provisional registration in terms of Rules of University."

Furthermore it said:

"In view of the aforesaid position, no further orders are required in the writ petition. This order does not prejudice the rights and contentions of the parties with regards to proceedings enumerating from show cause notice."

Accordingly, the petition was disposed of.

Title: Natasha Narwal v. JNU