HC asks DU college teachers to call off strike

HC asks DU college teachers to call off strike

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked teachers of a DU college, who are on strike seeking action against the president of students' union, to either call off their stir or be ready to face contempt proceedings.

"Striking members (lecturers, professors) of Kalindi College are prohibited from going on strike and are asked to comply with the provisions of the Delhi University Act, failing which they will be liable for the court of contempt proceedings," a division bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Sanjiv Khanna, said.

The court, which had issued notices to the Principal of the College, Delhi University and others including the UGC, has now fixed the matter for further hearing on 23rd March.

The order came on a public interest litigation (PIL), filed by Ramit Garg, alleging that majority of teachers resigned from various committees of the college on 29th September, last year, and were observing strike seeking action against Karishma Vaid, president of the students' union.

Vaid and her mother had lodged a criminal complaint against Meena Anand, one of the teachers of the girls' college, the petition, filed by advocate Zuber Ahmed, said.

Despite a police report, giving a clean chit to Anand, the strike has not been called off, it said, adding that the teacher had also lodged a complaint against the student leader under the SC/ST Act.

"Despite having no genuine grievance, the striking lecturers are continuing with their illegal strike. Furthermore, almost daily, during teaching hours, the teachers are convening meeting ...are continuously disrupting the classes and causing tremendous academic loss to the students," the petition said.