New Delhi: The Supreme Court disposed of a petition seeking direction to the authorities to grant admission to all Myanmar and Rohingya refugees, observing appropriate action for them would be to approach the Delhi High Court if they are entitled to such admission and they are denied the same by government schools.
A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotishwar Singh, while disposing of the petition filed by petitioner Social Jurist, noted that the petitioner-organization has graciously agreed to provide pro bono legal assistance to the children if the need arises.
What did the PIL seek?
The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed before the top court sought a direction to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and other authorities to grant admission to all Myanmar and Rohingya refugee children in the schools nearby to their residence.
Apex court took note of the latest affidavit filed by petitioner organisation
The apex court took note of the latest affidavit filed by the petitioner organisation in purported compliance of the apex court January order referring to the brief particulars of 18 children, who were stated to be eligible for admission to schools. It was also averred in the affidavit that some of their siblings are already studying in government schools in Delhi.
What did the apex court say?
“That being so, the appropriate recourse for these children would be to apply to the government schools for which they are claiming themselves eligible and in the event of denial of admission, if they are entitled to such admission, the concerned children can approach the Delhi High Court. In the event of such a recourse being required, the petitioner-organization has graciously agreed to provide pro bono legal assistance to the children,” the bench said in its order.
What did the High Court say while disposing of the PIL?
The Delhi High Court had earlier disposed of the petition filed by petitioner Social Jurist taking note that Rohingya refugees are foreigners who have not been granted entry into India officially or legally and granted liberty to the petitioner organisation to make a representation with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
