Notices to 52 Delhi schools for not admitting poor students

The Delhi High court on Wednesday issued contempt notices to 52 schools that have failed to fulfil the obligation of giving 15 percent seats to poor students free of cost.

A division bench of Justices T.S. Thakur and Aruna Suresh said: "It's a serious matter and is a prima facie contempt." The schools had filed affidavits last year, promising to fill 15 percent of their seats with poor students who would not have to pay any fee.

A public interest petition (PIL) filed by Social Jurists, a voluntary organisation, alleged that school authorities while buying land at concessional rates from the government had agreed to provide 15 percent of seats to poor students free of cost but had failed to do so.

The schools that were issued contempt notice included Delhi Public School, Vasant Kunj, Apeejay Public school, Malviya Nagar, Greenfield Public school, Malviya Nagar, Ryan International school, Mayur Vihar and Salwan Public school, Mayur Vihar.

In May last year, the court had directed the city's private schools to comply with the rule from the academic session 2007-2008 on a trial basis.

The court on Wednesday reiterated that schools that do not comply with its order could be de-recognised and dispossessed of their land. The schools have to file their replies by March 27.