The Delhi University has reportedly imposed a fine of around Rs 7 lakhs on a visually impaired assistant professor for staying in the undergraduate girls’ hostel beyond the allotted tenure. The professor has been residing in the hostel for more than two as she was having difficulties in finding suitable accommodation options in the city. Sharmishtha Atreja has been teaching philosophy in the university’s Arts Faculty since 2015.
According to a report by the Indian Express, Assistant Professor Sharmishtha Atreja earlier lived in a rented house which she arranged herself because she was denied any university-provided accommodation for visually impaired individuals. In 2021, she was allotted a room on the ground floor of the girl’s hostel as she became the resident tutor for the students living in that hostel. However, in August 2022, her tenure as a residential tutor ended and the university instructed her to vacate the room.
Professor Atreja chained that she was allotted another room on Mall Road, but it was inconvenient for her as the room was not on the ground floor. She mentioned that she had to cross two main roads to reach her department which was more problematic for her. She added that despite repeated requests, the university refused to let her stay in that particular room. In 2023, Atreja approached the High Court to seek justice. Following the High Court’s order, the DU Estate department offered a falt to her in Maurice Nagar on March 15. The Estate Department gave her the possession letter on March 18, asking her to shift to the location within ten days.
As the professor was fined a huge amount, the university cut 30 per cent of her monthly pay. The professor recently wrote a letter to the authorities explaining her situation. Walking on this recent development DU Proctor Rajni Abbi said, “We have done everything possible to help her keeping in mind her condition. There is a license fee that every employee should pay for overstaying at the allotted places beyond the tenure. It is not in the power of the administration to waive the fees. Following the High Court’s order we formed a committee that also included the university’s audit members. She owned more than the amount we fined her, but we did whatever we could.”
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