logo
Delhi HC to DPS, Dwarka: Using bouncers to block students' entry over fees is ‘mental harassment'

Delhi HC to DPS, Dwarka: Using bouncers to block students' entry over fees is ‘mental harassment'

Time of India05-06-2025
New Delhi: Expressing strong disapproval of Delhi Public School, Dwarka's conduct in allegedly deploying bouncers to block students' entry over a fee dispute, Delhi High Court on Thursday termed the act of publicly shaming students for non-payment of fees as "mental harassment".
A single-judge bench of Justice Sachin Datta remarked, "This court is constrained to express its dismay at the alleged conduct of the petitioner school in engaging "bouncers" to physically block the entry of certain students into the school premises. Such a reprehensible practice has no place in an institute of learning. It reflects not only a disregard for the dignity of a child but also a fundamental misunderstanding of a school's role in society.
"
The court was hearing a petition filed by parents of students who had been expelled last month for non-payment of fees. It was informed that the school later withdrew its expulsion orders following a directive from a coordinate bench, reinstating the affected students.
The court emphasised that any form of public shaming or intimidation over financial issues, especially using force or coercive means, constitutes mental harassment and undermines a child's psychological well-being.
"The use of bouncers fosters a climate of fear, humiliation, and exclusion, which is incompatible with the ethos of education," the bench stated.
While noting that the school is entitled to charge reasonable for its operations—to sustain infrastructure, remunerate staff, and provide a conducive learning environment—the court underlined that an educational institution cannot be equated with a commercial enterprise.
"The driving force of a school—especially one managed by a reputed society—must be public welfare, nation-building, and holistic child development, not profit maximisation.
The primary objective of a school is to impart education and inculcate values, not to operate as a business enterprise," the court observed.
As the school had reinstated the students, the court said the petition had become largely moot. However, it directed that any future action under Rule 35 of the Delhi School Education Rules, 1973, must be preceded by proper notice and an opportunity for the affected students or their guardians to respond.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Bombay High Court clears MIAL to replace Celebi at Mumbai airport
Bombay High Court clears MIAL to replace Celebi at Mumbai airport

Business Standard

timean hour ago

  • Business Standard

Bombay High Court clears MIAL to replace Celebi at Mumbai airport

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday lifted the stay imposed on Adani-backed Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) to replace its ground handling service provider Celebi, a Turkish aviation firm. The court had in May restrained MIAL from finalising tenders to appoint a new ground handling service provider amid Celebi's legal challenge to the revocation of its security clearance by the central government. However, with the Delhi High Court dismissing Celebi's plea on July 7 and upholding the revocation, the Bombay High Court found no further grounds to continue the stay. The decision now paves the way for MIAL to proceed with the appointment of a new operator for ground and bridge handling services at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, where Celebi has handled nearly 70 per cent of operations. The dispute began after the Ministry of Civil Aviation, acting through the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), withdrew Celebi's clearance on May 15, 2025, citing national security grounds. The move came amid mounting diplomatic tensions after Turkey supported Pakistan during hostilities involving Operation Sindoor. At least seven airports in the country cancelled the services of Celebi and its subsidiaries. Celebi challenged the contract cancellations before the high courts of Madras, Bombay, and Gujarat, in addition to contesting the security revocation before the Delhi High Court. The plea in the Gujarat High Court is still pending. In June, the Madras High Court granted interim protection to Celebi Ground Services Chennai under Section 9 (interim protection to parties) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. On July 7, the Delhi High Court dismissed Celebi's plea challenging the Indian government's decision to revoke its security clearance. The court stated: 'As per settled law, once national security considerations are found to exist, on the basis of which the security clearance has been cancelled/revoked, it is not for the Court to 'second guess' the same.' Justice Sachin Datta upheld the revocation of Celebi's security clearance by BCAS in the interest of national security. The court further noted the existence of impelling geo-political considerations impinging upon the safety of the country. In its petition to the Delhi High Court, Celebi Airport Services argued that public perception cannot be grounds for revocation of security clearance. The ground handling company also said it had been given no reason or opportunity for a hearing. Further, Celebi contended that the Indian government's decision to revoke its security clearance was 'arbitrary and devoid of specific reasons.'

National Sports Bill: How it's different from National Sports Code
National Sports Bill: How it's different from National Sports Code

Time of India

time2 hours ago

  • Time of India

National Sports Bill: How it's different from National Sports Code

Live Events The Journey The differences with Sports Code: (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel With the introduction of the National Sports Governance Bill in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, India has taken a big step towards joining powers like the USA, UK, China, and Japan which have laws in place for streamlined administrative bill, once it becomes an act, will complete a journey that started back in 2011 when the then Sports Minister Ajay Maken began his push for a legislation to set some benchmarks for the sports mostly long-serving administrators were and still are often accused of indulging in power struggles, infighting, financial misappropriation and showing a distinct lack of intent to overcome any of these with the new bill, accountability will be in place through a National Sports Board , a National Sports Tribunal and the National Sports Election of this took shape over months of dialogue that current Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya undertook with stakeholders, soon after taking charge last the bill was finalised, Mandaviya gave due credit to Maken, his political opponent from the Congress party, for "doing good work in shaping the National Sports Code , 2011" which was in operation till now."The National Sports Development Code of India, 2011 established good governance practices for sports bodies, essential for healthy development of sports in the country," stated the objectives of the new a look at the timeline of how the code turned into a bill with significant changes.*In 2011, the Ministry prepared Draft National Sports Development Bill and placed it before Cabinet for approval. However, it was met with vehement opposition due to strict capping of age and tenure for administrators.*In July 2013, the Ministry prepared a revised Draft National Sports Development Bill and placed it in public domain to invite suggestions and comments. However, this Bill was not pursued and a year later, the Delhi High Court upheld the Sports Code 2011.*In 2015, a Working Group was constituted for re-drafting of National Sports Development Code, 2011. But the inclusion of Indian Olympic Association top brass in this group was challenged in the Delhi High Court as a case of conflict of interest.*In 2017, a Committee was constituted under then sports secretary Injeti Srinivas, to prepare the '(Draft) National Code for Good Governance in Sports , 2017'. Olympic gold medal-winning shooter Abhinav Bindra, and other sports greats like Anju Bobby George, and Prakash Padukone, along with then then IOA head Narinder Batra were among the members in the Draft Sports Code was also challenged in the Delhi High Court, which ordered that committee's report be submitted to it in a sealed cover.*In 2019, the Ministry constituted an Expert Committee under Justice (Retd.) Mukundakam Sharma to review the Draft Sports Code 2017 and "suggest measures for making it acceptable to all the stakeholders".That same year, the Delhi High Court stayed the constitution of this committee, an order that is in effect till date.*In October 2024, the Draft National Sports Governance Bill was released to the public for comments and suggestions. There were extensive consultation sessions held with the IOA, the National Sports Federations, athletes, coaches, legal experts and even private bodies that are involved in athlete management. The bill was also shared with the International Olympic Committe and International Federations including World Athletics, FIFA, and the International Hockey Federation (FIH) among ministry received "over 700 responses" as part of the feedback from various stakeholders, including general public before it finally made its way to the Parliament.*Age Cap: While the Sports Code capped the age of administrators at 70, the new bill allows an office-bearer to complete his/her tenure if they were less than 70 at the time of filing nominations. A further relaxation of another five years has been made for contesting elections if the international statutes and byelaws allow for it in the concerned sports body.*Tenure: The Sports Code allowed three terms with a cooling off period after two terms for the President and two terms for Treasurer and Secretary. The new sports bill allows office-bearers (President, Secretary General and Treasurer) to serve three consecutive terms of a maximum of 12 years and remain eligible for election to the Executive Committee after a cooling off period."This has been done to ensure continuity and also to keep competent people within the system," a sports ministry source said.*Executive Committee: The sports code had no provision for mandatory women's representation in the committee whose strength was capped at 15. The new bill mandates that at least four members of the EC must be women along with two sportspersons of outstanding merit.*Regulatory Body: The sports code had no provisions for a regulatory body to oversee NSFs, leaving the power to recognise or derecognise in the hands of the sports ministry. But the sports governance bill outlines the creation of a National Sports Board which will fulfill this role.*The National Sports Tribunal, which will adjudicate sporting disputes, the National Sports Election Panel to oversee polls in NSFs and the Ethics Commission were not a part of the Sports Code. All these bodies will have a significant role to play once the bill becomes an act.

National Sports Bill: How its different from National Sports Code
National Sports Bill: How its different from National Sports Code

News18

time3 hours ago

  • News18

National Sports Bill: How its different from National Sports Code

Last Updated: New Delhi, Jul 23 (PTI) With the introduction of the National Sports Governance Bill in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, India has taken a big step towards joining powers like the USA, UK, China, and Japan which have laws in place for streamlined administrative set-ups. The bill, once it becomes an act, will complete a journey that started back in 2011 when the then Sports Minister Ajay Maken began his push for a legislation to set some benchmarks for the sports administrators. The mostly long-serving administrators were and still are often accused of indulging in power struggles, infighting, financial misappropriation and showing a distinct lack of intent to overcome any of these issues. But with the new bill, accountability will be in place through a National Sports Board, a National Sports Tribunal and the National Sports Election Panel. All of this took shape over months of dialogue that current Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya undertook with stakeholders, soon after taking charge last year. Once the bill was finalised, Mandaviya gave due credit to Maken, his political opponent from the Congress party, for 'doing good work in shaping the National Sports Code, 2011" which was in operation till now. 'The National Sports Development Code of India, 2011 established good governance practices for sports bodies, essential for healthy development of sports in the country," stated the objectives of the new bill. Here's a look at the timeline of how the code turned into a bill with significant changes. The Journey: ========= *In 2011, the Ministry prepared Draft National Sports Development Bill and placed it before Cabinet for approval. However, it was met with vehement opposition due to strict capping of age and tenure for administrators. *In July 2013, the Ministry prepared a revised Draft National Sports Development Bill and placed it in public domain to invite suggestions and comments. However, this Bill was not pursued and a year later, the Delhi High Court upheld the Sports Code 2011. *In 2015, a Working Group was constituted for re-drafting of National Sports Development Code, 2011. But the inclusion of Indian Olympic Association top brass in this group was challenged in the Delhi High Court as a case of conflict of interest. *In 2017, a Committee was constituted under then sports secretary Injeti Srinivas, to prepare the '(Draft) National Code for Good Governance in Sports, 2017'. Olympic gold medal-winning shooter Abhinav Bindra, and other sports greats like Anju Bobby George, and Prakash Padukone, along with then then IOA head Narinder Batra were among the members in the committee. The Draft Sports Code was also challenged in the Delhi High Court, which ordered that committee's report be submitted to it in a sealed cover. *In 2019, the Ministry constituted an Expert Committee under Justice (Retd.) Mukundakam Sharma to review the Draft Sports Code 2017 and 'suggest measures for making it acceptable to all the stakeholders". That same year, the Delhi High Court stayed the constitution of this committee, an order that is in effect till date. *In October 2024, the Draft National Sports Governance Bill was released to the public for comments and suggestions. There were extensive consultation sessions held with the IOA, the National Sports Federations, athletes, coaches, legal experts and even private bodies that are involved in athlete management. The bill was also shared with the International Olympic Committe and International Federations including World Athletics, FIFA, and the International Hockey Federation (FIH) among others. The ministry received 'over 700 responses" as part of the feedback from various stakeholders, including general public before it finally made its way to the Parliament. The differences with Sports Code: ===================== *Age Cap: While the Sports Code capped the age of administrators at 70, the new bill allows an office-bearer to complete his/her tenure if they were less than 70 at the time of filing nominations. A further relaxation of another five years has been made for contesting elections if the international statutes and byelaws allow for it in the concerned sports body. *Tenure: The Sports Code allowed three terms with a cooling off period after two terms for the President and two terms for Treasurer and Secretary. The new sports bill allows office-bearers (President, Secretary General and Treasurer) to serve three consecutive terms of a maximum of 12 years and remain eligible for election to the Executive Committee after a cooling off period. 'This has been done to ensure continuity and also to keep competent people within the system," a sports ministry source said. *Executive Committee: The sports code had no provision for mandatory women's representation in the committee whose strength was capped at 15. The new bill mandates that at least four members of the EC must be women along with two sportspersons of outstanding merit. top videos View all *Regulatory Body: The sports code had no provisions for a regulatory body to oversee NSFs, leaving the power to recognise or derecognise in the hands of the sports ministry. But the sports governance bill outlines the creation of a National Sports Board which will fulfill this role. *The National Sports Tribunal, which will adjudicate sporting disputes, the National Sports Election Panel to oversee polls in NSFs and the Ethics Commission were not a part of the Sports Code. All these bodies will have a significant role to play once the bill becomes an act. PTI PM PM KHS KHS (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 23, 2025, 17:00 IST News agency-feeds National Sports Bill: How its different from National Sports Code Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store