NEW DELHI: A routine virtual hearing in the Delhi high court on Friday turned into a memorable one for two sisters struggling to pay for their education.
Ten lawyers, entirely unconnected with the case being heard, raised over Rs 1 lakh jointly for the two students so that they can continue chasing their academic dreams. The judge lauded their efforts.
The funds came while the distraught mother was explaining to the court how her two daughters might have to opt out of studies because her estranged husband refused to pay for their education.
“The petitioner and her daughters are evidently overwhelmed by the generous outpouring of financial assistance and emotional support by the learned counsels present in the court. The court records its appreciation that the members of the Bar have responded so robustly to ameliorate the financial difficulties of the two young students and have further assured that the studies shall not be hindered for want of finances,” a satisfied Justice Najmi Waziri stated in the order.
The court said it “appreciates the assurance” and added that “gestures, such as these, continue to reassure society about the nobleness of the legal profession and that the generosity of human goodness is only waiting to be tapped.”
While the immediate need was for Rs 87,400— Rs 75,000 for the younger daughter pursuing a law course and Rs 12,400 for the elder one enrolled in a German language institute, the court said a sum of Rs 1,02,100 was already raised.
The high court was hearing the plea of a woman who said she and her two daughters were facing dire financial circumstances because the father had not paid them monies in terms of the settlement on record and the undertaking given to this court.
She added that her younger daughter, who is pursuing her BA-LLB and is currently in the 3rd year, was forced to miss out on her mid-term exams due to non-payment of tuition fees. Now the revised fee has to be deposited by January 10th, else she will lose out on her academic year. Her elder daughter is pursuing a certificate course from Goethe Institut, but has been made an external student due to non-payment of fee.
The woman maintained that her husband has the means, but his previous conduct is proof that he would rather have his daughters drop out from college than extend them any financial support.
Even as the court mulled over a solution, several lawyers who were logged in and awaiting their cases, spoke up, offering to contribute for the educational expenses of both the girls. “Many other lawyers also have joined in and assured that they too will contribute and ensure that both the girls’ current studies are not abruptly ended because of monetary constraints,” the high court noted, recording names of the advocates who pitched in.
It also stated that the law student would still need to pay Rs 60,000 college fees per annum for the 4th and 5th years and requested the Delhi High Court Bar Association president to look into the matter.
