The Delhi High Court recently comprising of a bench of Justice Justice Najmi Waziri lauded efforts of the Bar members for contributing to college fees of two girls as their father failed to pay them monies. (Shalini Bangia v. Neeraj Bangia)
The bench remarked, “The court appreciates the assurance. Gestures, such as these, continue to reassure society about the nobleness of the legal profession and that the generosity of human goodness is only waiting to be tapped.”
Facts of the Case
In the present case the mother had sought for arrangement and/or payment of fees for the younger daughter, who is pursuing her BA, LL.B. (2019-24) from IME Law College, Ghaziabad (affiliated to CCS University) and is currently in the 3rd year (fifth-semester); that due to non-payment of tuition fees the law student has missed out her mid-term examinations of the fifth-semester; that as per a letter received from the College (Annexure-A to the application), the outstanding dues are Rs.75,000/- (Rs.60,000/- towards college fee, Rs.5,000/- towards late fee charges, re-admission fee of Rs.10,000/-); this amount has to be paid on or before 10th January 2022 to enable her to take the fifth-semester final examination. If the monies are not paid, she will lose out on an academic year.
The mother further submitted that her elder daughter who is pursuing a B2 Level Certificate German Language Course (External) from Goethe Institute, Max Mueller Bhawan, KG Marg, New Delhi; she has been made an external student due to non-payment of Rs.12,400/- towards tuition fee. She seeks some directions to the respondent to pay the fees urgently, lest the dependent daughters are compelled to abandon their respective academic courses.
The father is said to be engaged in photocopying and book-binding business at a shop at the Tees Hazari Courts, Delhi. He says he does not readily have the wherewithal to meet the expenses.
At this stage, many lawyers who are logged in and awaiting their cases, have simultaneously spoken up offering their contributions for the educational expenses of both the girls. Mr. Ashutosh Lohia, learned counsel has offered to pay the entire outstanding amount for the law student. Likewise, Mr. Prateek Som, Ms. Sudarshini Ray and Ms. Aarzu Khattar, learned counsel, have offered to contribute towards the educational expenses of both the girls. Many other lawyers also have joined in and assured that they too will contribute and ensure that both the girls’ current studies are not abruptly ended because of monetary constraints.
Contention of the Parties
The Counsels informed the bench that till now sum of Rs.1, 02,100/- has already been contributed by the following learned counsel:
- Mr. Ashutosh Lohia
- Mr. Rohan Dewan
- Mr. Abhik Kumar
- Mr. Kunal Sabharwal
- Mr. Prateek Som
- Mr. Kumar Prashant
- Mr. Sanjay Katyal
- Mr. Nikita Mishra
- Ms. Honey Khanna
- Mr. Sanjay K. Jain
Courts Observation & Judgment
The bench taking note of the same remarked, “The last date of payment of the college fees for the fifth-semester law examination at IME Law College is 10.01.2022. Looking into the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case, it would be expected of the said College to extend the date for payment of fees by a few days, to facilitate the bank transfer of monies, so that the law student does not lose out on her academic year. The court is confident that a similar gesture would be extended by Goethe Institute, Max Mueller Bhavan, New Delhi to the student of Deutsch.”
The bench lauded the efforts of Bar members for contributing to the college fees of the two girls. The bench noted, “At this stage, Mr. Mohit Mathur, Senior Advocate and President, Delhi High Court Bar Association has been requested to look into the matter. He assures the court that it shall be looked into. The court appreciates the assurance. Gestures, such as these, continue to reassure society about the nobleness of the legal profession and that the generosity of human goodness is only waiting to be tapped.”
The bench even remarked, “The said monies shall be treated as 'Bangia Children’s Education Fund' and shall be expended only towards the education-related expenses of the petitioner’s two daughters so that they can complete their current academic courses.”
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