The Delhi High Court on Tuesday (July 17) directed Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to release the results of the candidates except for candidates who fall under Persons with Disability (PWD) category for admissions in MPhil and PhD courses while continuing the interim order barring the results of PWD candidates for the same courses.

During today’s hearing, the petitioner’s counsel said that section 32 of the People with Disabilities Act 2016 it clearly enunciates 5 per cent reservation for PWD candidates.

The respondent’s counsel said that the Act says that it should be department wise — vertically and horizontally.

To which the Bench said: “There is a difference between the vertical and horizontal. You can’t mix the SC/ST, OBC reservation with the blind candidates. Please read the Section 32 of the People with Disabilities Act 2016, it clearly says not less than 5 percent at all in total,” while also referring to SC judgment in Ravi Prakash Gupta case.

The respondent sought time to examine the judgment in Ravi Prakash Gupta case.

The petitioner further informed the bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar that JNU stayed the result saying matter is sub-judice.

The bench said: “How can you stay the result. We never stayed the whole results, we only categorically stated that the results of PWD candidates should be stayed.

“Staying the declaration of results doesn’t it tantamount to wrong practice.” said the bench.

The next hearing of the matter is on September 25.

—India Legal Bureau