Archive · 2 Oct 2026
'Dictatorial' Court Stays DU Student's Rustication Without Notice
The Delhi High Court temporarily stopped a university from rusticating a student.
Rustication is a serious punishment that can prevent a student from continuing a course.
The university said the student behaved inappropriately in class, including using a mobile phone.
However, the court said she was not first told about the complaint or given a chance to explain.
The court said this was unfair.
It also said schools and universities must follow basic rules of fairness.
The judge allowed the student to continue her course for now.
The court asked the institution to explain why it took this action.
The order said using authority in this way had the appearance of a dictatorial exercise.
The Delhi High Court stayed the rustication of a Delhi University student.
The student was rusticated on September 10 over alleged inappropriate classroom behaviour, including mobile-phone use.
The court said the student received neither notice nor a hearing before the decision.
Justice Jasmeet Singh said institutional autonomy does not allow unfettered disciplinary power.
The September 30 order said the action appeared dictatorial and disregarded natural-justice principles.
- Who
- The Delhi High Court, Justice Jasmeet Singh, a Delhi University student, and the university’s Open Learning Development Centre.
- What
- The court stayed the student’s rustication and permitted her to continue her course for now.
- When
- The student was rusticated on September 10, and the court passed its order on September 30; no year is specified.
- Where
- The case concerns Delhi University’s Open Learning Development Centre and its Centre of Innovative Skill Based Courses.
- Why
- The court said the student was not given notice or a meaningful opportunity to be heard before being rusticated.
Court’s View
Institution’s Stated Basis
Disciplinary action
Court’s View
The court said the harshest disciplinary consequence could not be imposed without following basic principles of natural justice.
Institution’s Stated Basis
The Open Learning Development Centre cited the student’s consistent inappropriate behaviour in the classroom, including mobile-phone use.
Institutional authority
Court’s View
The court said institutional autonomy does not give an institution unfettered power to discipline students and sought the basis for the action.
Institution’s Stated Basis
The institution imposed rustication based on its stated assessment of the student’s classroom conduct; the articles do not report its response to the court’s criticism.
- Court
- Delhi High Court
- Judge
- Justice Jasmeet Singh
- Institution
- Delhi University’s Open Learning Development Centre
- Course
- Six-month certificate course in bakery and confectionery
- Rustication date
- September 10
- Court order date
- September 30
- Alleged conduct
- Inappropriate classroom behaviour, including use of a mobile phone
- Procedural issue
- The student was allegedly given neither notice nor a hearing
