SC relief to DU’s St Stephen’s in admission of minorities

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to interfere with a Delhi high court interim order, allowing St Stephen’s College to conduct interviews of Christian candidates seeking admission under the minority quota, and said that any order passed at this stage will be “too late” and will result in “uncertainty” among students. St Stephen’s had earlier argued that over the years, it admitted candidates to undergraduate courses by earmarking 15% of the score for a personal interaction or interview, The high court, in its July 21 order, permitted St Stephen’s College to admit Christian minority students on the basis of 85% weightage for their Common University Entrance Test scores and 15% weightage for interviews. Dismissing the two petitions, a Supreme Court bench of justices AS Bopanna and PS Narasimha on Monday said, “Taking note that the order passed is an interim order and the high court has made admission subject to the final outcome of the writ petition, we see no reason to interfere at this stage.” DU, represented by solicitor general Tushar Mehta, told the court that the last date for the close of admissions is August 31, and St Stephen’s should not be permitted to proceed with interviews of minority candidates. Due to the HC order, meritorious candidates are being left out.” St Stephen’s, represented by senior advocate A Mariarputham and advocate Romy Chacko, said that the admission process for this academic year is over.