Latest news with #Dwarka
The Hindu
a day ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Lawyers to boycott judicial work on June 9 in protest against digital courts shift
Lawyers across Delhi's district courts will abstain from all judicial works including court proceedings on June 9 in protest against the relocation of all digital courts to the Rouse Avenue Court complex. The move comes after Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya on Friday inaugurated 34 digital courts, aimed at reducing paperwork and improving speed as well as efficiency. The courts are dedicated to handling cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act, which mostly deals with cheque bounce cases. These digital courts include nine from Dwarka, seven from Tis Hazari, six from Saket, five from Karkardooma Court, four from Rohini and three from Patiala House. In what it described as 'unrest' among the lawyers, the Coordination Committee of all districts court bar associations of Delhi passed a resolution on Friday. 'Coordination Committee has resolved to abstain from judicial work in all Delhi District Courts on Monday, June 9, 2025,' stated the circular. The Aam Aadmi Party government approved the construction of a new district court complex at Rouse Avenue in August 2024 at an estimated cost of ₹427 crore, aimed at streamlining judicial processes and improving accessibility.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Delhi: Minutes before court verdict, DPS Dwarka revokes student ousters
The Delhi Public School (DPS) Dwarka on Thursday informed the Delhi high court that it had withdrawn its order expelling 31 students for non-payment of hiked fees --just minutes before the court was to pronounce its verdict in the case. As justice Sachin Datta assembled to deliver his ruling on the parents' plea, the school's counsel submitted that the expulsion order had been withdrawn. The students' names had been reinstated, subject to parents paying fees in line with an earlier order by the high court on May 16. That order directed students to pay 50% of the increased fees for the 2024-25 session, pending a final decision by the UT's department of education (DoE). The school's lawyer also informed the bench that an affidavit to that effect had already been filed earlier in the week. Taking note of the submission, justice Datta noted that the immediate controversy had become moot. However, the bench laid down clear procedural safeguards for any future actions under the Delhi School Education Rules, 1973. The school must issue prior communication specifying the proposed date for striking a student off the rolls and must give reasonable opportunity to the students or their guardians to show cause against such action, it directed. On Thursday, the court's judgment, released shortly after the matter was closed, expressed 'dismay' over the school's engagement of 'bouncers' to physically block students from entering the premises and called this 'a reprehensible practice' that has 'no place in an institute of learning.' The judgment further pointed out the psychological impact of such coercive tactics, noting: 'Public shaming/intimidation of a student on account of financial default, especially through force or coercive action, not only constitutes mental harassment but also undermines the psychological well-being and self-worth of a child. The use of 'bouncers' fosters a climate of fear, humiliation and exclusion that is incompatible with the fundamental ethos of a school.' The court underlined the special status of educational institutions, emphasising that while schools charge fees to maintain infrastructure and staff, they 'cannot be equated with a pure commercial establishment.' It maintained: 'The driving force and character of a school (particularly a school such as the petitioner, which is run by a pre-eminent society) is rooted not in profit maximisation but in public welfare, nation building and the holistic development of children.' Highlighting the fiduciary and moral responsibilities schools bear towards their students, the judgment insisted on a compassionate and just approach to fee recovery without compromising students' dignity. The court development comes just a day after Delhi education minister Ashish Sood announced the government's intent to bring in an ordinance to implement the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025, aimed at curbing arbitrary fee hikes by private institutions. The school struck off the names of the students on May 9 and barred them from entering the premises on May 13, triggering protests by dozens of parents. The move escalated an ongoing standoff over fee hikes, with many parents refusing to pay the revised structure without the Directorate of Education's (DoE) approval. In response, DoE passed an order on May 15 directing immediate reinstatement of the students. The controversy stems from DPS Dwarka's hike in fees for the 2025-26 academic session, which over 100 parents have challenged before the high court. They demanded that the school be directed to collect only DoE-approved fees for both current and future academic years. In their plea, the parents alleged that DPS Dwarka violated previous court orders prohibiting schools from harassing students over non-payment of unauthorised fees. They also claimed the school deployed bouncers to prevent students from entering, despite judicial restraint. On April 16, the high court rebuked the school for treating the students in a 'shabby and inhuman' manner by confining them to the library over failure to pay increased fees. Citing an inspection report by the district magistrate, the court had remarked that 'the school deserves to be shut down'. On its part, the school submitted that the action followed proper procedure of issuing show cause notice, mails, messages and phone calls after the unpaid dues of the students in question touched approximately ₹42 lakh till the academic year 2024-25. Senior advocate Pinaki Mishra, representing the school, submitted that fees collected from students was the only source of income for the school since it catered to various expenses, and the school was surviving with a deficit of ₹31 crores for over 10 years.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Delhi HC to DPS, Dwarka: Using bouncers to block students' entry over fees is ‘mental harassment'
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.
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Indian naval forces dared not face Pakistan Navy after land, air setback: PM
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the Pakistan Navy for its readiness and professionalism, stating that the naval forces were fully prepared to launch an operation akin to the historic Operation Dwarka. However, the Indian Navy avoided confrontation after witnessing the befitting response from Pakistan's ground and air forces. PM Shehbaz arrived in Karachi on Monday for a day-long visit and visited the Pakistan Navy Dockyard, where he met with naval officers and personnel. "The Indian military, after facing setbacks on land and in the air, was not ready to take on our naval forces. Otherwise, the Pakistan Navy would have revived the memories of Operation Dwarka," the PM told officers and sailors. "During the Indian misadventure, the world saw that our Navy was fully prepared. Naval weapons had been deployed, and the Pakistan Navy was once again ready—just like in 1965—for Dwarka," he added. Operation Dwarka remains a landmark achievement in the history of the Pakistan Navy. On the night of September 8, 1965, the Navy executed Operation Dwarka—codenamed 'Operation Somnath.' Ships including PNS Babur, Khyber, Badr, Jahangir, Alamgir, Shahjahan, and Tipu Sultan launched a surprise attack on the Indian naval base at Dwarka. The strike, which lasted just four minutes, caused significant damage, set parts of the base ablaze, and disrupted Indian Navy operations against Karachi. The prime minister said the nation stood united during the recent standoff, calling the harmony among Pakistan's armed forces a 'golden chapter' in the country's history. He praised the Navy's performance in safeguarding ports and trade routes, adding that modern technology had significantly enhanced its operational capabilities. "We are proud of the Navy's extraordinary performance. Its use of modern technology has taken its effectiveness to new heights," he added. PM Shehbaz also expressed gratitude to international allies for their support during the heightened regional tensions. He thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and long-time partner China. He also praised US President Donald Trump for his role in brokering a ceasefire. "Trump is a man of peace. He played a key role in halting conflict between two nuclear powers at a critical time. I thank him from the bottom of my heart for acting as a sincere friend and even offering to mediate on Kashmir," he said. The PM was accompanied by Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Atta Tarar, and other senior officials.
Hindustan Times
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Show proof of notice: High court slams Delhi Public School Dwarka
The Delhi high court on Friday deferred its decision on staying Delhi Public School (DPS), Dwarka's move to expel 32 students over their apparent non-payment of increased fees, even as it indicated that the school appeared to have violated legal procedures by failing to issue prior show cause notices. The court said it would await the outcome of a related case – in which over 100 parents have urged the court to direct the Directorate of Education (DoE) and the lieutenant governor to take over the school's administration – before passing any interim orders and posted the matter for further hearing on Monday. A bench of justice Sachin Datta, hearing a plea by the parents of the expelled students seeking their reinstatement, noted that Rule 35(4) of the Delhi School Education Rules, 1973, requires schools to provide a reasonable opportunity to parents or guardians to respond before striking off a student's name from the rolls. Senior advocate Debal Banerjee, representing the parents, submitted that the school had not issued such notices. DPS Dwarka's counsel, senior advocate Pinaki Mishra, contended that notices had been served, but the judge pressed him for specific proof. 'Show me a notice where you informed the students that they would be off the rolls on May 13 if they didn't pay the fees,' Justice Datta said, adding, 'This is a striking off order. Rule 35(4) says that you (the school) have to issue notices. I think I'll stay this order immediately.' Though the judge described it as an 'open and shut' case of procedural violation, he deferred passing the stay order, saying, 'I'll pass the order on Monday. One day will not make a difference.' He cited the related petition being heard by justice Vikas Mahajan, in which over 100 parents have urged the court to direct DoE and the LG to take over the school's administration. That bench had reserved its order a day earlier. On May 9, DPS Dwarka had struck the students off its rolls and barred them from entering the premises, allegedly by deploying bouncers. A similar episode reportedly occurred again on Friday, triggering protests from dozens of parents outside the school. The expulsions mark the latest escalation in a months-long standoff between the school and parents, many of whom have refused to pay the revised fees, citing the lack of approval from DoE. During the hearing, justice Datta also rebuked the school for the timing of its action. 'You could've waited for five working days. When the school was about to shut for vacation, you chose the last week. They've been ousted in the crucial last week. You derive some sadistic pleasure by depriving the students?' he asked. DoE, represented by standing counsel Sameer Vashisth, told the court that it had issued an order on Thursday directing the school to reinstate the 32 students, stating that the expulsions were in violation of court orders. The parents, in their plea, also cited the high court's earlier order from April 16, in which the court had rebuked the school for confining students to the library over unpaid fees and warned that inability to pay did not justify harassment. At that time, the court had described the treatment as 'shabby and inhuman.' Mishra, however, argued that the school had incurred financial losses of ₹49 crore due to parents refusing to pay the revised fees, and maintained that the DoE had no authority in the matter. The case will now continue on Monday.
