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PIL Seeks Delhi Hostel Policy After Satya Niketan Collapse
A building used as a hostel in Satya Niketan collapsed, and seven people died.
A student organization leader has asked the court to require better student housing in Delhi.
He wants colleges to build hostels or create shared hostels when colleges do not have enough land.
The petition says many students must live in private paying-guest homes because colleges do not have enough rooms.
It says these homes may not always be safe or affordable.
The Delhi High Court did not hear the new petition urgently on Tuesday, but it will consider it on Wednesday.
The court has also asked the city authority to inspect buildings used as hostels and paying-guest homes.
The court previously said the university and civic authorities might also have responsibilities in the collapse.
The petition especially highlights concerns for female students and students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
A PIL seeks a time-bound hostel development policy from the Delhi government after seven people died in the Satya Niketan collapse.
The petition asks the University of Delhi to provide hostels at every college where feasible, or develop common cluster hostels where land is limited.
The Delhi High Court declined urgent listing of the petition on Tuesday and scheduled it for Wednesday.
The court has said responsibility for the collapse may extend beyond the paying-guest owner to the university and civic authorities.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi was directed to inspect buildings housing paying guests and hostels and report on permissions and building-law compliance.
- Who
- National Students’ Union of India national president Vinod Jakhar filed the PIL; the Delhi government, University of Delhi and civic authorities are among those named in the requested directions.
- What
- The PIL seeks a time-bound hostel development policy and adequate institutional accommodation for University of Delhi students.
- Where
- The case concerns student accommodation in Delhi, following the Satya Niketan hostel collapse.
- When
- The petition was mentioned for urgent listing on Tuesday and is scheduled to be taken up on Wednesday; Jakhar said he wrote to officials on September 7.
- Why
- The petition says a shortage of college and government hostels is forcing students to depend on potentially unsafe private accommodation.
Policy Advocates
Court and Authorities
Immediate hostel expansion
Policy Advocates
Vinod Jakhar’s petition calls for a time-bound, university-wide plan to construct or expand college hostels and create cluster hostels where necessary.
Court and Authorities
The Chief Justice questioned whether such a direction could be issued immediately as an interim court order and declined to list the petition urgently.
Responsibility for unsafe accommodation
Policy Advocates
The petition argues that the lack of institutional housing leaves thousands of students dependent on privately operated accommodation that may be unsafe.
Court and Authorities
The court said responsibility for the collapse may involve not only the paying-guest owner but also University of Delhi and civic authorities, while directing inspections to determine compliance with permissions and building regulations.
Key facts
- Deaths
- Seven people died in the Satya Niketan hostel collapse.
- Petitioner
- Vinod Jakhar, national president of the National Students’ Union of India.
- Requested policy
- A time-bound hostel development policy for Delhi.
- University request
- Hostel facilities at University of Delhi colleges, with common or cluster hostels where campuses lack sufficient land.
- Student population
- The petition says approximately 1,32,435 students are enrolled in the university’s regular courses.
- Inspection order
- The Municipal Corporation of Delhi must inspect buildings housing paying guests and hostels and prepare a report within one week.
- Court schedule
- The new PIL was not urgently listed on Tuesday and will be taken up on Wednesday.
Quotes
Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya
Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court who responded during the urgent-listing request.
“Can this direction be issued by way of an interim mandamus (order)? It will be taken up tomorrow. Unnecessarily you waste your own time. Can such a direction be issued (by the court)?”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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