New Delhi: Delhi High Court on Thursday sought an explanation from Delhi govt over allegations that lakhs of students enrolled in its schools are yet to receive textbooks, despite earlier court rulings mandating their timely supply. HC issued a notice on a contempt plea filed by Social Jurist, an NGO, alleging non-compliance with the earlier court directions. Justice Sachin Datta pulled up Delhi govt’s education directorate over the alleged lapse affecting the children and questioned the delay in distribution of books. The govt counsel assured the court that the textbooks would be supplied to all students before the start of the summer vacation in the second week of May so that they have the study material at hand before the beginning of the July session. Recording the submission, HC said the authorities are bound by the assurance and directed that a status report be filed to this effect, posting the matter for Sept 30. Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Ashok Agarwal submitted that despite undertakings given before the court, students of classes I to VIII have not received their textbooks even after the start of the 2026-27 academic session, impacting their studies. The contempt plea alleges wilful disobedience of earlier directions by HC in a PIL concerning the supply of textbooks to nearly 10 lakh students studying in these classes. According to the contempt petition, action is required against Delhi govt’s education secretary, as despite assurances recorded in April 2024 and directions issued in July that year mandating the timely procurement and distribution of books and learning materials, the students have been left without textbooks weeks into the academic session that began this April 1, affecting their right to education. The petitioner argued that the delay has disrupted foundational learning and widened disparities between govt and private school students. It is further contended that the students are being forced to rely on outdated or shared materials, undermining their rights under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, and Article 21-A of the Constitution, the petitioner added.
