Student moves SC as IoE denies admission

Chaudhari was denied enrolment for not having citizenship

Kathmandu, August 20

Puja Chaudhari, a resident of Parsa district filed a case against Tribhuvan University’s Institute of Engineering at the Supreme Court, for refusing to accept her application for enrolment in BE class.

Chaudhari stated in her writ petition that the IoE refused to accept her application for not submitting a copy of her citizenship certificate. Chaudhari is among those children of citizens by birth who are being denied citizenship due to lack of amendment to the Citizenship Act, 2007. She has argued that as per the constitutional provision she qualifies for citizenship by descent as her father is a citizen by birth and her mother a citizen by descent.

Chaudhari has stated in her writ petition that when the IoE sought applications from students for the entrance exam a few weeks ago, she applied for it giving a copy of her admit card that she used to appear for Grade XII exams.

The IoE had asked the applicants to attach either a copy of the student’s citizenship certificate or admit card that they used to appear for the Grade XII exams. As she did not have her citizenship certificate, she attached a copy of her admit card with her application.

She said she ranked 247 in the IoE merit list with 71.71 per cent marks but as the IoE was refusing to accept her form now, she would be deprived of her right to education as guaranteed by the constitution.  The petitioner has stated that she was denied a recommendation letter by Birgunj metropolis-12 for citizenship certificate. She has also sought an interim order against the defendants.

The petitioner has named Dean’s Office; IoE; Admission Committee; District Administration Office, Parsa; Ministry of Home Affairs; and Birgunj Metropolitan City Ward Office-12 as defendants in her writ petition.