Law

After violent unrest shook VIT University in Sehore district, the Madhya Pradesh Higher Education Department has finally issued a show-cause notice to its management. The university management has been given seven days to explain serious violations. Unsatisfactory replies would see the department initiating disciplinary action under Section 41(2).

The notice is based on a damning report submitted by the three-member inquiry committee of the MP Private University Regulatory Commission. NDTV has accessed the report that reveals disturbing conditions, administrative failure, and shocking mismanagement at one of the state's biggest private universities.

The panel found the university hostel mess in "extremely unsatisfactory" condition. The students complained about poor quality of food and beverages, contaminated water with a foul smell in the drinking water. The management admitted that there had been an outbreak of jaundice from November 14 to 24, in which 23 male and 12 female students were afflicted, indicating prima facie water contamination.

The report maps the university as running like a fortress of fear. Students told the committee that they were threatened with harassment for complaining, warned that their identity cards would be confiscated, threatened with being barred from exams, told they would get poor marks in practicals-and, in one shocking incident, even the District Chief Medical and Health Officer was made to wait for two hours at the campus gate.

It said the committee found that student dissatisfaction mounted steadily, while the management ignored warnings. As the situation worsened, the administration called the police at 2 am.

The Under Secretary, Viran Singh Bhalavi, in the notice, warned that the government would take unilateral action if the university fails to provide a proper explanation.

The crisis began with the reported assault of a student by the hostel staff after complaints of contaminated water and food, which was followed by unprecedented chaos.

On November 25, approximately 4,000 students rallied and protested.

In a matter of minutes, there were burning buses and vehicles, a vandalised ambulance, shattered windscreens, and fire all over the parking lot.

It took police forces from five stations to bring the situation under control. The university has since been shut until December 8 and most students have returned home.

Earlier, the PHE Department collected 18 water samples. Four tested positive for harmful bacteria, including E coli. PHE official Pradeep Saxena confirmed contamination in water taken from tube wells, ground-level tanks and RO systems.

The Food and Drug Administration collected 25 food samples from the hostel mess - pulses, rice, oil, flour, semolina, and more.

Among the most shocking of the revelations was that 11 campus blocks were functioning without fire NOCs, therefore exposing thousands of students to grave risk. The management's omissions directly led to this crisis. The investigation team, comprising Hamidia College Principal Dr Anil Shivani, MVM College Professor Sanjay Dixit, and GMC Professor Dr Lokendra Dave, concluded that this entire chain of events had been the result of deep-rooted administrative failure.

The Supreme Court has ordered a comprehensive review of private universities and asked top officials of the Centre, states, and the UGC to furnish detailed information on establishment and regulation of such varsities. This is in an attempt to bring about clarity on the operation of private universities and transparency in their governance.

The order was passed by a bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and NV Anjaria while it was hearing a writ petition on Amity University, which latterly developed into a PIL. The court wants to know how private universities are established, what benefits are extended to them and to what extent they observe regulatory compliance.

Particulars Required from Government Officials

The apex court has ordered the Cabinet Secretary, Chief Secretaries of all states, and the Chairman of UGC to file an affidavit regarding the governance structures of private universities. The court made it clear that these secretaries are required to compile the information personally and present them before the court without assigning the responsibility to their subordinates.

Some of the salient information sought include the persons running these institutions, the membership of decision-making bodies like boards of governors or managing committees. The affidavits should also explain the manner of selection for such positions and full details with respect to all persons associated with the establishment and administration of private universities.

UGC's Monitoring Role Under Scrutiny

The court asked the UGC to explain its monitoring role regarding private universities. The court has asked that in what way it exercises the requirement of compliance with the statutory requirements, particularly after declaring 54 state private universities in September 2025 for non-compliance with documentation obligations under Section 13 of the UGC Act, 1956. This section empowers the UGC to inspect universities to assess their financial viability and educational standards.

The Supreme Court also expressed apprehensions on the admission policies and recruitment mechanisms followed by private universities. It wants to know whether such institutions run on 'no profit, no loss' principles and what measures the government has to ensure there is no financial malpractice, such as diversion of funds for motives other than education.

 The scrutiny by UGC and the intervention of the Supreme Court come amid increased scrutiny of private universities across the country. The review seeks to address long-standing issues related to admissions, financial practices, and the general governance of such institutions. As the court examines these concerns, it aims at upholding educational standards, with protection of interests of students and other stakeholders in mind.

The Karnataka government has circulated a draft, called the Karnataka Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Employment and Education Bill-2025, that promises significant reform in workplace and academic inclusion for persons with disabilities. Among the salient features, particularly noted is the mandatory 5 percent reservation in private establishments that employ 20 or more people, apart from a 10 percent reservation across all courses in educational institutions.

The draft bill, published in the official gazette on November 21, intends to bring the state's framework in line with international standards, including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

5% Job Quota, Reasonable Accommodation and Penalties

The draft stipulates that private companies should set aside 5 per cent of the sanctioned posts in respect of direct recruitment and regularized posts for persons with disabilities. Employers are to allocate posts across the categories of disability based on a formula to be determined by the State Regulatory Authority, with annual reports on compliance becoming mandatory. Any unutilized posts can be carried forward for three recruitment cycles only, while exemptions will apply only where the essential duties of a job cannot be performed even after reasonable accommodation.

The Bill threatens severe penalty for violation, including fines ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 5 lakh, and publicizing of defaulters. Fraudulent disability claims may attract a fine of Rs 1 lakh and imprisonment up to two years. The Bill also incentivizes compliance through procurement incentives and certification.

It forbids discrimination in hiring, promotions, training, or workplace conditions, and it calls on employers to provide aids, flexible work arrangements, and modifications in infrastructure. The bill reads:

If an employer denies accommodation for undue hardship, reasons are to be given in writing and may be reviewed by the proposed State Regulatory Authority. Information concerning a disability is not to be disclosed except with informed consent unless this is necessary for safety reasons or for compliance with law. Employees who become disabled during employment cannot be demoted or dismissed and should be transferred or placed on supernumerary posts.

10% Reservation in Education and Accessibility Targets

Accordingly, the institutions would have to fill 10 percent of seats in each course with students with disabilities and provide accessibility at the time of admission, classes, and examinations. The provisions would include time extensions, scribes, and alternate question papers besides digital and physical access. Institutes will have to draw up Accessibility and Inclusion Plans within six months and achieve full accessibility in five years. Student benefits include five-year age relaxation and 5% cut-off relaxation; educational loans are likely to be made available at concessional rates and with simplified paperwork. There shall be a State Regulatory Authority and State Enforcement Authority to ensure compliance and monitor, through audits, complaints and their adjudication, and compensation. Every institution and organization shall designate trained grievance officers and different accessible complaint channels. The government has invited public objections and suggestions within 30 days, addressed to the Principal Secretary, Labour Department, Vikasa Soudha, Bengaluru.

In a path-breaking order to reinforce fundamental education, the Supreme Court of India has directed the Kerala government to open lower primary and upper primary schools in every locality where there is no government school at present-a strong reminder of the lingering gaps in access in a state hailed for its achievements in literacy.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant ordered the state to frame a comprehensive policy in three months to ensure primary education reaches all. The court’s observations came during a hearing in which the CJI pointed to the contradiction between Kerala being hailed for 100% literacy and the reality of areas without basic schooling facilities.

Schools Within Reach: 1 km for Lower Primary, 3 km for Upper Primary

As per the said order, the state is to ensure that:

A lower primary school within 1 km radius of every habitation

An upper primary school within 3 km

The government has been directed to identify suitable private buildings in areas where there are no school buildings, to run temporary classrooms. At the same time, Kerala will have to earmark funds to build permanent school buildings, said the court.

Retired Teachers to Step In Temporarily

It asked the state government to appoint retirees as teachers in the institutions till regular teachers are recruited to avoid the delay in beginning the academic sessions.

Local panchayats have been instructed to survey and submit the details of available land for new school infrastructure.

Comes Days After Kerala Declared Itself ‘Extreme Poverty-Free’

The intervention by the Supreme Court comes close on the heels of an announcement by the Kerala government headed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on November 1 — the state’s formation day — that Kerala had become the first state in India to eradicate extreme poverty.

The observations from the court have brought into focus the disconnect between Kerala's vaunted social indicators and realities on the ground in terms of access to education.

Education Equity: Ensuring

It is a directive that is expected to have far-reaching implications for children in remote and tribal regions, areas where long travel distances and lack of facilities have for years hindered school enrolments. From being traditionally regarded as a role model in education and human resource development, Kerala will henceforth have to accelerate the process of ensuring that each child has a school within walking distance, matching its literacy legacy with universal access.

This is significant funding for India's first such law school-led initiative. The VAP was conceptualized to reinforce representation, support, and the overall role of victims vis-à-vis the adverse criminal justice system through academic rigor combined with field engagement at the grassroots level and litigation support. It's an action project aimed at mitigating the crime-related difficulties at the grassroots level through expert legal intervention, counseling, and sustained community mobilization.

Why the Victim Advocacy Project Matters

It is very challenging for victims of crimes to get through different hurdles in court procedures and most often do not get the necessary legal aid and assistance. It is due to this that VAP tries to fill such gaps at every level of the legal procedure through systematic, professional, and sustained support in the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

Key Goals and Impact - Next Three Years

• Victim Support: Represent and support over 450 victims of crime at every stage, from the FIR stage, investigation to trial, appeal, and rehabilitation.
• Capacity Building: Develop a cadre of specialized litigation fellows and paralegals who will receive focused training in victim rights, court procedures, and trauma-informed engagement.
• Professional Mentorship: Ensures quality representation in a manner sensitive to ethical concerns through professional mentorship by leading senior advocates.
• Systemic Reform: Providing timely, evidence-based information to inform and support efforts for legal reform, policy enhancement, and increased institutional accountability. Scalable Model: Based on research and field practice, it will deliver a replicable and scalable model for victim advocacy-one which will then be leveraged across the country. 

A Transformative Vision for Law and Society While highlighting the importance of the said project, Prof. (Dr.) G.S. Bajpai, Vice-Chancellor, NLU Delhi, said, "This project represents a sea change in impactful ways that law universities can engage with society. With the Victim Advocacy Project, we are advancing not just research and training, but also justice, dignity, and empowerment on behalf of those who need it most." This, in effect, underlines the commitment of NLU Delhi to bridge gaps between legal scholarship and social impact as it furthers its reputation as a national leader in the domain of criminology, victimology, and justice reforms. 

Support in this regard from the Azim Premji Foundation underlines the timely requirement of well-resourced, victim-centric interventions. Thus, the grant will facilitate a multi-tiered program involving: Legal representation Counselling and psychosocial support Community engagement Training and capacity building Research and documentation This strong partnership reflects a shared vision in furthering equity, justice, and responsiveness of institutions in India. About CCV, NLU Delhi The Centre for Criminology and Victimology is India's premier institution dedicated to research, policy engagement, and training in criminology, victimology, and criminal justice reform. Through extensive national and international collaborations, CCV continues to contribute to pressing debates on policing, penal reform, victim rights, and restorative justice.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Election Commission on pleas challenging the Special Intensive Revision in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, but asked the petitioners why they were so apprehensive about the exercise.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said a constitutional authority was undertaking the voter clean-up exercise and there could be a functional deficiency that could be rectified.

"Why are you people so apprehensive? They (Election Commission) have to answer all such issues and they will. Some deficiencies will have to be rectified and so it's a case of rectification of deficiencies," the bench said.

"Look at the monsoons. It's not a uniform thing. Heavy rain happens during the time of this exercise in the state. The flood relief too will have to be managed by the BLOs. Tamil Nadu is an agricultural state so most people will not be available," he said.

"Christmas vacations will be declared, and most families will not be available to participate. There will be Pongal, which is celebrated in the state," he added.

To this, the Supreme Court said, some deficiencies as far as smooth conduct of SIR was concerned should be rectified. "It's a case of rectification of deficiencies. It's not a case in your favour." the bench said.

Sibal said that till now, only 4,000 forms under the form distribution phase had been digitalised out of 3.94 crore forms.

"If this is taken into account, lakhs of forms will not be able to digitalised. Period of filing of claims, objections and notice will overlap. Why this great hurry we don't understand. We all want the system to work. We are only giving suggestions," he said.

After the arguments, the Supreme Court issued notice to the Election Commission and granted two weeks to it for responding to the issues. The Court will hear the matter again on November 26.

The Supreme Court also sought a response from the poll body on an application filed challenging the just-concluded SIR in Bihar, where Assembly polls are underway.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan said, "The application seeks to direct the poll body not to determine citizenship since they don't have the authority."

He said the poll body was not releasing the 2003 voter list to the voters in Bihar. "If my family members' names are there, I should be able to see it in the list," he said.

To this, the Supreme Court said, "If you lock your house, it can still be broken, but would that be a justification for not locking the house? The Election Commission is entitled to have layers of privacy on the data."

 The poll body will publish the draft electoral rolls on December 9 and the final electoral rolls will be published on February 7, 2026.