Hyderabad: Controversial Remarks Case
The Telangana High Court’s division bench, including Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice J Sreenivas Rao, addressed a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by social activist Vasundhara Koppula. She requested the court to order IAS officer Smita Sabharwal to remove insensitive comments about differently-abled persons from her social media account.
The petitioner also asked for action against Sabharwal by the Principal Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training in Delhi and the UPSC chairman. These requests stemmed from remarks made by Sabharwal on July 21, which the petitioner found offensive and against service conduct rules.
The comments were about Puja Khedkar, whose UPSC candidacy was canceled due to alleged identity manipulation for additional attempts under the disabled quota.
The court instructed Vasundhara Koppula, who leads the Gurthimpu Foundation for differently-abled persons, to provide more information about her social work. Respondents in the case include the principal secretary, the UPSC chairman, and Smita Sabharwal.
PIL on School Regulation and Mid-Day Meals
The High Court division bench also issued notices to several government bodies about another PIL concerning private and government schools. This case involves the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Department of School Education, and other relevant officials.
The PIL, filed by Keethineedi Akhil Sriguru Teja, highlights the lack of regulation on private school fees, which have reportedly become exorbitant. Despite a government order from 1994 regarding fee regulation, it is not being enforced, and only a few schools have submitted required reports.
Additionally, the petitioner pointed out that mid-day meals, including eggs, are not being provided as required in many government schools in Hyderabad.
The petitioner urged the creation of a committee to regulate school fees. The court has given four weeks for the involved parties to respond with counter-affidavits.
