L-G revokes eviction, sealing order against NGO, school

Providing relief to the Gandhi Harijan Sewak Samaj and Dr BR Ambedkar Adarsh Vidyalaya, Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) of Delhi, VK Saxena, acting in his capacity as an Appellate Court, overturned an order by the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) on Thursday that had directed the samaj and the school to vacate their land. The L-G also set aside the subsequent sealing of the school by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), which followed DUSIB’s directive.

‘Matter dealt in callous manner’

The matter had been dealt with by the government (DUSIB) in an extremely callous and politically premeditated manner, detrimental to the appellant, who apart from belonging to the most marginalised Dalit community, is also involved in carrying out the task of educating poor and Dalit children. — VK Saxena, Lieutenant-Governor

The DUSIB order, issued on May 17, 2024, had called for the vacation of the property held by the Gandhi Harijan Sewak Samaj since 1964.

The property houses the Dr BR Ambedkar Adarsh Vidyalaya, located in Dakshinpuri, South Delhi, which has been operational since 1993.

The school currently enrols 650 students, predominantly from Dalit and other marginalised communities and employs 27 staff members. The sealing of the school had severely disrupted their operations and caused distress.

The eviction notice and subsequent sealing order came after a complaint filed by area MLA Ajay Dutt, officials said.

The DUSIB’s decision was issued shortly after a meeting between Dutt and DUSIB officials, raising concerns about political influence in the matter, they added.

“The samaj and the school, which had faced similar harassment dating back to 2002, appealed the decision to the court of the LG under Section 45 of the DUSIB Act, 2010,” another official said.

In his ruling, LG Saxena criticised the manner in which the case was handled, stating, “The matter had been dealt with by the government (DUSIB) in an extremely callous and politically premeditated manner, detrimental to the appellant, who apart from belonging to the most marginalised Dalit community, is also involved in carrying out the task of educating poor and Dalit children. The eviction process will certainly have an adverse impact on the school leading to potential disrepute, loss of trust and the future of 650 students and 27 staff members. I am of the considered view that ends of justice would be met by granting the appellant one last opportunity to deposit/pay the requisite dues demanded by the DUSIB.”