Delhi HC asked to consider St Stephen’s plea on minority quota admissions 

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has ordered the Delhi High Court to hear with “requisite urgency” St Stephen’s College’s appeal against a high court judgement requiring it to adopt Delhi University’s admission policy.

On September 12, 2018, the Delhi High Court ordered the Christian minority institution to follow the Delhi University’s admission policy, which gives 100% weightage to the Common University Entrance Test (CUET)-2022 score for non-minority undergraduate students.

The high court ruled that the college cannot interview non-minority students and that admission should be based on CUET scores.

Justices B R Gavai and J B Pardiwala confirmed the high court’s jurisdiction.

We confirm that the high court may continue hearing the minority quota writ case.

“It is needless to state that since the matter pertains to admissions for the present academic year, the high court would consider the same with requisite urgency,” the bench stated.

St Stephen’s College’s counsel argued that the high court deferred the plea hearing because it is seized with the subject.

He requested that the high court hear the minority admittance plea.

DU’s Additional Solicitor General Vikramjit Banerjee said the varsity doesn’t mind if the matter is heard by the highest court or high court.

“Let the Delhi High Court decide,” Justice Gavai said.

The top court had refused to stay the Delhi High Court ruling requiring St. Stephen’s College to observe Delhi University’s admission rules.

Last year, the top court ruled that minority institutions cannot be granted Constitutional rights by non-minorities.

The college can interview Christian applicants in addition to the CUET score, but it cannot require non-minority applicants to interview.

While asking St Stephen’s College to withdraw its prospectus giving 15% weightage to interview for admission against unreserved seats, the HC bench ruled the DU “cannot insist upon a single merit list for admission of candidates belonging to the Christian community regardless of denomination, etc”.

A law student and the college petitioned the high court over the legitimacy of the mechanism for admitting students to unreserved non-minority UG seats.