Land allotted for rebuilding minority school demolished 40 yrs ago: HC told

The Delhi High Court was today informed by the DDA that it has allotted land to the AAP government for constructing building for a minority school which has been functioning from tents since its demolition over 40 years ago during the Emergency.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao was told that a plot of 4,000 square metres has been allotted by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for the construction of the school in Old Delhi.

It noted that the competent authority had in principle granted approval for constructing the secondary school at Eidgah at Quresh Nagar in the walled city.

The bench disposed of the petition after the petitioner expressed satisfaction over the development.

The court had last year asked the Delhi government and the authorities concerned to explore the possibility of allotting land for the minority school.

It had asked the Delhi chief secretary to coordinate with all agencies, including the DDA and the municipal body.

The court, which was hearing a PIL seeking reconstruction of the school building, had expressed concern after it was told that the minority institution has been functioning from tents since its demolition on June 30, 1976 during the Emergency.

The PIL filed by civil activist Firoz Bakht Ahmed had contended that the state of affairs at the Qaumi School was "sad and pitiable" as it was functioning from the ground of the Eidgah at Quresh Nagar in Old Delhi after its building was demolished.

The plea had alleged that despite promises of land and building, nothing was done and the school continued to function in a "tattered, tented and tinned structure, without a building" since 1976.

The PIL, filed through advocate Atyab Siddiqui, had contended that children from the "downtrodden and backward classes have to suffer due to threats of closure, makeshift classrooms, leaking roofs and no proper facilities.

"A hostile and inclement environment can hardly be conducive for learning. With competition in board examinations reaching stupendous proportions, children from such schools are placed at a huge disadvantage from the very inception of their schooling life."