The PIL prays for directions to the government and university to provide all the necessary facilities, fill up the vacancies of staff and other facilities for smooth functioning of the tribunal
Taking a serious view on the lack of infrastructure and other amenities meant to be provided by the Mumbai University to the University of Mumbai and SNDT College Tribunal, the Bombay High Court has asked a judicial officer to visit the tribunal, interact with its presiding officer, who is a retired High Court judge, and file a detailed report by June 17 on whether facilities are available.
As per government resolution (GR) issued in 1995, the tribunal was set up as a first appeal body to hear and resolve issues arising out of admission and other areas. The jurisdiction of the tribunal covers University of Mumbai (MU) and SNDT Women's university.
A division bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice AK Menon, issued the direction while hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by a practicing advocate, Pravartak Suhas Pathak, who witnessed the lack of facilities when he appeared at the tribunal to argue a case for an assistant professor.
As per Menon's petition, the tribunal has been allotted a very small area to operate from, and there is a shortage of support staff, hampering its work. Pathak collected information under Right to Information Act and found that necessary legal software for research work was not provided to the presiding officer, who is a retired High Court judge, and the tribunal does not have any website for a case information system. All these factors were having an impact on dispensation of justice, and in view of the same, the litigants are likely to get affected, the petition states.
By virtue of a GR dated August 19, 1995, initially one post of a junior grade stenographer and one post of a clerk-cum-typist and one post of peon were established. However, by virtue of GR dated June 6,1996, two junior grade stenographers, two clerk-cum-typists and one post for assistant registrar were sanctioned. However, all these posts are now lying vacant, affecting the work of the tribunal, the petitioner has claimed.
The petition also says that the post of presiding officer was vacant for sometime, and that it was only recently that it had been filled.
Further, the plea states that the presiding officer has not been provided with proper accommodation that meets the standards mentioned in the GR. There is no facility of a car provided to the presiding officer, the petition states. The presiding officer has not been given proper wash room facilities and has to go to the toilet used by litigants, it adds.
The PIL prays for directions to the government and university to provide all the necessary facilities, fill up the vacancies of staff and other facilities for smooth functioning of the tribunal. The bench has posted the matter for June 20 for further hearing and for studying the report that will be submitted.
MA Khan, Registrar, University of Mumbai said that the tribunal is situated in a heritage building and major structural changes are not possible. "The facilities at the tribunal are in an excellent state and there are no complaints regarding the same" added Khan.
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