Virendra Singh & ANR. v. Union Of India & ORS.

$~74 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 14602/2025 & CM APPL. 59901/2025, 59902/2025 VIRENDRA SINGH & ANR.

.....Petitioners Through:

Mr. Mudit Gupta, Ms. Ishita Soni, and Ms. Pranya Madan, Advocates.

versus UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

.....Respondents Through:

Ms. Avshreya Pratap Singh Rudy, CGSC with Ms. Usha Jamnal, Ms.

Harshita Chaturvedi, Mr. Md.

Junai Mahmood, Advocates.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRATEEK JALAN

O R D E R

% 19.09.2025 1.

Issue notice. Ms. Avshreya Pratap Singh Rudy, learned Central Government Standing Counsel, accepts notice on behalf of respondent Nos. 1 and 2.

2.

The petitioners are serving as Nursing Officers at respondent No. 2 -Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital. The present petition concerns their applications for study leave to pursue degrees in M.Sc. Nursing at respondent No. 3 - Rajasthan University of Health Sciences.

3.

The petitioners'

applications have been rejected by a communication dated 15.09.2025, stating that as per the policy of the employer, only 16 employees can be sent on study leave in a calendar year, and the quota of 16 employees has already been exhausted for the present year.

4.

Mr. Mudit Gupta, learned counsel for the petitioners, however, W.P.(C) 14602/2025 The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 20/09/2025 at 12:44:27

draws my attention to an Office Memorandum of respondent No. 2 dated 08.07.2025, which specifically states that, apart from the 16 Nursing Officers, who would be permitted study leave in a particular year, further requests can also be considered. The Study Leave Policy also provides as follows:

"Additional Guidelines recommended by the committee:

1. Study leave may be granted to meritorious/deserving Nursing officials over and above the framed guidelines by the competent authority on case-to-case basis."

5.

Mr. Gupta submits that the petitioners would be satisfied with a direction that the aforesaid aspect be considered by respondent No. 2. However, he submits that the last date for the petitioners to participate in counselling in respondent No. 3 is 21.09.2025. 6.

In view of the above, respondent No. 2 is directed to consider whether the petitioners' request can be accommodated in terms of Clause 1 of the "Additional Guidelines" noted above, and communicate its decision to the petitioners by tomorrow, i.e. 20.09.2025. 7.

In the event any alternative mechanism can be found to accommodate the petitioners' desire to undertake the M.Sc. course, that can also be explored between the parties.

8.

The writ petition is disposed of with these directions. 9.

A copy of this order be given Dasti under the signature of the Court Master.

PRATEEK JALAN, J SEPTEMBER 19, 2025 'Bhupi'/AD/ W.P.(C) 14602/2025 The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 20/09/2025 at 12:44:27