The Delhi High Court has quashed a petition challenging the Delhi government’s decision to withdraw the bus services under Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) to 70 private schools for ferrying of children.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad dismissed the petition on Wednesday after the government Counsel said this was a policy decision, which did not require any interference. It further said that none of the schools or parents had challenged the Delhi government’s decision.
The High Court further questioned the locus of Kerala-based petitioner Baba Alexandar, asking him why had he filed a petition for schools in Delhi, when he was a resident of the city.
The petitioner claimed that he was the Founder-Secretary of National Child Development Council (NCDC).
Alexandar contended that the withdrawal of DTC buses from schools without any justifiable reason caused a deep sense of agony and disappointment among parents and also impinged on the right to clean environment as the decision was likely to increase vehicular pollution and traffic woes in the national capital.
It would also increase financial burden on the parents and the spread of Covid-19.
Appearing for the Delhi government, Advocate Sameer Vashishth contended that due to the depleting fleet of DTC, the buses cannot cater to 70 schools, thus leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
He contended that the agreement between the 70 schools and DTC was completely contractual in nature, and a 15-day due notice was given to the schools, before the facilities were withdrawn.
While dismissing the petition, the High Court noted that the petitioner had given examples of only two affected schools. A detailed order was awaited.