Would you let your kids sleep on floor?: Andhra HC raps officials over poor conditions in hostels
The court, hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Kakinada resident Keethineedi Akhil Sriguru Teja in 2023, criticised the lack of regular inspections by district-level officials and the deplorable conditions in these hostels.
The court questioned how officials could remain unaware of the dire situation in hostels and demanded accountability for the crores of rupees allocated annually for their maintenance. 'Are works being carried out solely for the benefit of contractors?' it enquired.
The bench expressed dismay over the absence of basic facilities like beds, forcing students to sleep on the floor, and rhetorically asked if officials would allow their children to endure such conditions.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
15 hours ago
- The Hindu
Delhi High Court upholds action against assistant professor at DU in sexual harassment case
The Delhi High Court has upheld the compulsory retirement of an assistant professor of political science in Delhi University's Bharati College over multiple allegations of sexual harassment by students. The Court described the accused's conduct as 'so profane' that it refrained from reproducing in its judgment the objectionable messages he sent to the complainants. In the July 17 judgment, Justice Subramonium Prasad observed that, 'Teachers shape the career of young aspiring students for a better future... The act of sexual harassment done by these very teachers, who are considered our guides and mentors, against young female students who have just attained majority, has a deleterious effect on the psyche of such students.' The accused had challenged the orders of compulsory retirement issued by the college's governing body in December 2020. Four complaints were filed against him — three by current students of Bharati College and one by a former student — alleging sexual innuendoes/advances through Facebook chats and WhatsApp messages. The complaints surfaced in February 2018, shortly after a video of students confronting the professor about his conduct became public. The video sparked student protests and demands for an inquiry. The matter was referred to the college's Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), in line with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act), and UGC regulations. The Court noted that the ICC's inquiry report of August 28, 2018, found all charges against the professor to be substantiated through both documentary and oral evidence. 'The testimony of each of the complainants remained unimpeached and resultantly, this Court finds no reason to question the veracity of the ICC's analysis of the evidence and statements,' the Court held. The Court rejected the professor's arguments of procedural impropriety, noting that it found no violation of rules in how the ICC was constituted or how the inquiry was conducted.
The Print
16 hours ago
- The Print
NALSA launches Veer Parivaar Sahayata Yojana to aid defence personnel, families
Presiding over the event, Supreme Court Judge and Executive Chairman of NALSA, Justice Surya Kant, said the gathering in Kashmir was not just about technical discussions, but also about national integration and honouring the selfless service of the armed forces. The yojana was launched in collaboration with the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and the Jammu & Kashmir Legal Services Authority during the North Zone Regional Conference on 'Reaffirming the Constitutional Vision of Justice for Defence Personnel and Tribals' at SKICC here. Srinagar, Jul 26 (PTI) The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) on Saturday launched the Veer Parivaar Sahayata Yojana 2025 here to strengthen legal aid for defence personnel. Justice Kant said Veer Parivaar Sahayata Yojana 2025 marks a historic step in NALSA's 30-year journey of delivering justice to the marginalised. 'Members of our armed forces and their families face legal hurdles like any other citizen — whether land disputes, service entitlements, or matrimonial issues — but their unique service conditions make access to justice more difficult. This scheme is our solemn pledge to stand beside those who protect our borders, ensuring that their rights are not left unprotected,' he said. He outlined the three pillars of the yojana — a dedicated network of legal services clinics at Zilla, Rajya, and Kendriya Sainik Boards; trained nodal officers, legal aid counsels and PLVs (including ex-servicemen) to assist families in a compassionate and timely manner; and digital access and online redressal mechanisms such as e-Lok Adalats and online mediation to ensure speed and convenience. Justice Kant said the Constitution, through Article 39A, mandates equal access to justice for all, and 'if we fail to extend this support to our jawans and their families, we fail in our constitutional duty'. 'This yojana is our way of saying that just as they safeguard our freedom, we safeguard their dignity and rights,' he said. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal commended NALSA's initiative, stating that the scheme resonates with the government's commitment to inclusive justice, digital empowerment, and fast-tracking cases involving defence personnel. Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Justice Arun Palli, praised the scheme and emphasised the need for judiciary-led technological interventions to prioritise and fast-track such cases, ensuring that the limited leave time of defence personnel is not spent in prolonged legal processes. The launch of Veer Parivaar Sahayata Yojana 2025 marks a milestone in bridging the gap between legal services and the nation's defenders, echoing NALSA's motto of 'Access to Justice for All.' PTI SSB HIG HIG This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Time of India
Reservation policy choice, not right: HC turns down OBC quota plea in Patiala law admissions
1 2 Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana high court has categorically held that it cannot issue directions to enforce reservation for other backward classes (OBC) in admissions to a law course offered by a Patiala-based university in Punjab, as the constitutional provision governing such reservation is merely enabling in nature. The court emphasised that Article 15(4) of the Constitution did not impose a mandatory obligation on the state or educational institutions to give reservation. Rather, it confers a discretionary power to make special provisions for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes. The court also clarified that a university which is not classified as a central educational institution under the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006, cannot be legally required to provide a specific percentage of reservation for other backward classes (OBCs). A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry passed these orders recently while dismissing a plea filed by a female candidate belonging to the BC. The petitioner, being a Jat Sikh (except in Bharatpur and Dhaulpur districts) community, Rajasthan, which is recognised as a backward class under the Govt of India, was aggrieved by the fact that no reservation for BC is provided in admissions at Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Patiala, Punjab. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why Your Current Make-Up Routine Might Be Aging You Learn More Undo RGNUL Patiala is constituted under the Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law Punjab Act, 2006. It was contended that other national law universities have provisions for reserving 27% of seats for the OBC category. The RGNUL, by not providing any reservation for OBCs, acted unconstitutionally, her counsel contended. After hearing all parties, the bench observed that the petitioner could not point out any statutory provision mandating a particular quantum of reservation in admissions to courses imparted in RGNUL Patiala. On the petitioner's reliance upon The Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006, where, as per Section 3, the extent of reservation for OBCs is 27%, the bench held that the said Act of 2006 applies only to the central educational institutions, which is evident from the introductory part of the said act. "More so, RGNUL Patiala, not being a central educational institute under The Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006, cannot be compelled to provide for a particular quantum of reservation as regards OBCs," the HC held while dismissing the plea.
