Hans News Service New Delhi

TheDelhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice and sought responses from the Union Government, Delhi Government and Delhi University on a public interest litigation seeking adequate hostel facilities for students across colleges run by or affiliated with the University of Delhi.

The PIL has been filed in the backdrop of the recent Satya Niketan building collapse near Delhi University’s South Campus, where a five-storeyed building being used as a paying guest accommodation collapsed, resulting in the deaths of several college students and injuries to others.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia sought the response of the authorities on the plea filed by Vinod Jakhar. Advocate Vimal Tyagi appeared for the petitioner.

The Court, however, questioned the inclusion of the University Grants Commission as a respondent in the petition and directed that the UGC be deleted from the array of parties.

Observing that a public interest litigation was a “very serious business”, the Bench directed the petitioner’s counsel to file an amended memo of parties within one week.

The matter will now be heard on September 25, when another PIL concerning the Satya Niketan building collapse incident is also listed before the High Court.