LI Network
Published on: February 17, 2024 at 23:06 IST
The Delhi High Court intervened in a case involving Sharmishthaa Atreja, a visually impaired Assistant Professor at Delhi University, who received an eviction notice for her hostel accommodation.
Atreja, who teaches in the Department of Philosophy within the Faculty of Arts, University of Delhi, approached the court seeking to invalidate a letter dated 03.10.2023 from the University, which instructed her to vacate her assigned residence to accommodate the warden.
Arguing that the eviction letter violated constitutional provisions, the Rules for Allotment of Residences, and the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971, Atreja requested the court to quash the directive.
Additionally, she urged the university to provide her with accommodation near her department, in line with her entitlements and reasonable accommodations outlined in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Atreja also sought a court directive preventing her eviction from the University Graduate Hostel for Girls until suitable alternative housing was arranged.
The Court, recognizing the potential adversarial stance of the university, assigned Advocate Mohinder J. S. Rupal to mediate in the matter. Subsequently, an alternate premises was identified as suitable accommodation for Atreja. Her legal representative submitted a list of necessary civil works for the premises, including securing exposed wires.
The Court has mandated the university to complete the specified civil works within four weeks. Furthermore, Atreja has been instructed to vacate her current premises by 15.03.2024, by which time the civil works are expected to be finished.
Considering Atreja’s 100% visual impairment and the challenges she faces due to her disability, the court urged the University to take a sympathetic view in this matter.
CASE TITLE: HARMISHTHAA ATREJA vs UNIVERSITY OF DELHI & ORS,