The Delhi High Court has granted the petitioner leave to amend a plea concerning accommodation for students in the Satya Niketan area, directing that the amended petition appropriately identify the statutory provisions imposing obligations on the University of Delhi.
During the hearing, the University informed the Court that it was in the process of increasing hostel capacity and constructing new hostels. It also submitted that the Vice-Chancellor was a member of a high-powered committee constituted by the Delhi Government to address the issue and assist students, particularly those coming from outside Delhi, in finding accommodation.
The Court noted that the University’s affidavit had been received only a day before the hearing. During the proceedings, the Bench questioned the legal basis for seeking directions requiring the University to provide paying guest accommodation or construct additional facilities, asking counsel to identify the relevant provisions of the Delhi University Act and the University Calendar that imposed such obligations.
The petitioner was accordingly granted four weeks to amend the pleadings and frame the prayers in accordance with the statutory obligations, if any, applicable to the University.
The matter is to be listed after four weeks, with the amended petition placed on record.