Aditya Singh Tomar v. Union of India & Anr

O R D E R %

11.11.2024

CM APPL. 63982/2024

¶1Allowed, subject to all just exceptions. W.P.(C) 15226/2024

¶2This petition has been filed in public interest, highlighting three unfortunate incidents that have taken place in the National Law University, Delhi and praying for the following reliefs:- The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. "a. Issue Writ / Order / Direction to make an independent inquiry committee, comprising mental health experts, educationists, and legal experts, to investigate the causes behind the student suicides at NLU Delhi. b. Issue Writ / Order / Direction for the university to establish and enforce mental health policies in accordance with national guidelines, including the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, NEP 2020 principles and UGC regulations. c. Issue Writ / Order / Direction in nature of mandamus against the university to set up 24/7 mental health counselling services, peer support networks, and regular mental health check-ups for students. d. Issue writ/ Order/Direction so as to evaluate the curriculum of the University and also see how this is affecting the health of the students. e. Hold the university administration accountable for any lapses and order appropriate compensation to the families of the deceased students."

¶3The learned counsel for the respondent no. 2, who appears on advance notice of this petition, submits that the causes of these unfortunate incidents have been investigated and no direct nexus with the University or its curriculum has been found.

¶4He further submits that taking note of these unfortunate incidents, an emergent meeting of the Governing Council was held on

19.10.2024, and various measures were agreed to be taken, so that timely detection can be made and such unfortunate incidents can be The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. prevented. The learned counsel for the respondent no. 2 has placed a copy of the minutes of the 19th Meeting (emergent meeting of the Governing Council held on 19.10.2024) before us in this regard. The same has been taken on record.

¶5Having considered the above, we are of the opinion that adequate steps have been taken by the respondent no. 2 for the present. We do not, therefore, deem it appropriate to issue further directions in this petition at this stage.

¶6However, in case, the petitioner finds that adequate remedial measures have not been taken or implemented, it shall be open to the petitioner to approach this Court for further relief.

¶7The petition is accordingly disposed of.

NAVIN CHAWLA, J

SHALINDER KAUR, J

NOVEMBER 11, 2024/sds/F/SJ

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The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 15226/2024 ADITYA SINGH TOMAR .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Abhishek Sharma, Mr. Parvinder Singh Sandhu and Mr. Arun Shukla, Advs. with petitioner in person. versus UNION OF INDIA & ANR. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC with Mr. Waize, Mr. Maulik Khurana, Mr. Ranjeev Khatana and Mr. Varun Pratap, Advs. for R-1. Mr. Sanjay Vashishtha, St. counsel with Ms. Vasudha Saini and Ms. Harshita Rai, Advs. for NLUD/R-2. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE NAVIN CHAWLA HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE SHALINDER KAUR