HC upholds reconstitution of Grievance Redressal Committee for DU, OBE; allows the addition of one member [Read Order]

The Delhi HC in a recent case directed a reconstitution of the Grievance Redressal Committee formed to resolve issues occurring out of Delhi University, Open Book Examination(OBE). The same was challenged by DU stating that the court has exceeded the jurisdiction vested in her by treating the writ petition as a PIL and passing a slew of directions including reconstituting of the said Committee. Two members were dropped and three had been added. The counsel called it most unwarranted and stated that it reflected poorly on the Delhi University and its integrity.

The University had constituted two tiers for redressal of grievances. The first tier comprises of the Delhi University’s Grievance Officers headed by Dr.Ajay Arora and the second tier comprises a Grievances Redressal Committee, whose members are senior ranking academicians.

To the above objection, the respondents stated that there was no issue since two members of DU have been retained.  Secondly, the Committee is the second tier and it would be required to conduct a scrutiny of a grievance only after the same has been examined by the first tier that is manned entirely by officers of the Delhi University.

The Court observed that the reconstitution does not hurt the integrity of the University. In fact, The appointed members would only endorse the impartiality of the process when it is headed by a retired HC judge. Furthermore, the other two members have consented to work pro bono and the fees for the Principal Coordinator shall be paid by approaching the UGC or any other authority.

The Court lastly suggested, “If the University is willing to name any of the two members of the Committee constituted in terms of the Notification dated 03/04.08.2020, who were subsequently substituted, then we can consider adding him to make it a 6-member Committee, of course with the rider that in the event of any cleavage in opinion, the casting vote will be exercised by the Chairperson of the Committee.”

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