The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi University (DU) to show compassion towards a visually impaired female teacher who has been directed to vacate her assigned hostel accommodation and is encountering challenges due to her physical disability.
The court was informed that while the university has identified an alternative accommodation for the petitioner, she would face difficulties in moving there immediately as the bathroom lacks doors and the entry door lacks proper latches.
The petitioner’s counsel provided a list of necessary civil works that need to be undertaken on the premises.
A bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad stated, “It is expected that the university would carry out the civil works within a period of four weeks from today.”
As per the petition, the petitioner is completely visually impaired and serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts at Delhi University.
She has challenged a letter dated October 3, 2023, issued by Delhi University, directing her to vacate the Type-V university hostel accommodation.
It was mentioned that the accommodation she occupies is needed for the warden.
As it was informed to the court that an alternative accommodation has been identified in Maurice Nagar, Justice Prasad instructed the petitioner to vacate her current premises by March 15, by which time all the civil works would be completed by the university.
Regarding the authorities’ demand concerning the use and occupation of the property, the court allowed the woman to submit a representation to the university within 10 days.
“The university is directed to consider the representation. It is expected that considering the fact that the petitioner is 100 per cent visually impaired and has been facing difficulties due to her physical disability, the university is requested to take a sympathetic view in this matter,” the court stated.
