Delhi HC pulls up JNU for apathy in responding to requests of students and teachers for COVID care facility within campus [READ ORDER]

The Delhi HC criticized JNU on Tuesday( May 11, 2021) for not reacting with alarming concern as COVID cases continue to rise in a plea filed by the students and teachers seeking a COVID care centre as well as oxygen production facilities to be set up in the campus.

The bench consisted of Justice Pratibha M. Singh issued notice as well as few guidelines and directions, while taking a critical note of university’s failure to tend to the needs of the students and teachers since 13th April, 2021.

The order states, “The University is bound to take care of its students and is supposed to look after their health, it should also provide the students with the adequate facilities within the university, especially in a situation like this. Judicial note can be taken of the fact that various organizations and institutions have gone out of their way, during the current pandemic to make sure the employees and other stakeholders are alright. To safeguard their health.”

Further, the HC issued the following directions:

1. The registrar of JNU has been asked to file a status report, which will state the steps that have been taken by the administration regarding the requests, since 13th April.
2. The VC/registrar has been directed to make sure the necessity and economic feasibility in respect of covid health care facility in the JNU campus.
3. The SDM/ADM of the concerned area has been appointed to look after the situation and has been advised to keep a record on whether JNU is following the court’s protocols
4. The HC directed the registrar to schedule a meeting as soon as possible to discuss the further steps.

The matter will now be heard on 13th May, 2021. 

The plea was filed by Advocates Abhik Chimni, Lakshay Garg and Shashwat Mehra. It prayed to the court that the respondent must consider the three-tier consolidated plan as prescribed by CSMCH. It also prays for a mandamus directing the university to appoint a new covid response team consisting of people with technical expertise.

Further it sought imposition of a cost of Rs. 1,00,000/- upon the VC for poor handling of the pandemic, which led to the lives being risked.

It was submitted by Adv Chimni before the Court that “right to life and health of all occupants of the campus is in serious jeopardy.”

[READ ORDER]