Wed Jul 02 20:11:44 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The Delhi High Court has ruled in favor of an eight-year-old girl with mild autism, Aadriti Pathak, against G.D. Goenka Public School, Model Town. The court found that the school created a hostile environment for the child and unjustly deprived her of her right to inclusive education. The court ordered the school to readmit Aadriti, allowing her to be assisted by a shadow teacher. The ruling emphasizes that schools must provide adequate support for students with special needs and cannot deny them inclusive education based on “unwillingness to adapt.”

**News Article:**

**Delhi High Court Orders School to Readmit Autistic Student, Cites ‘Hostile Environment’**

**NEW DELHI -** In a landmark ruling, the Delhi High Court has directed G.D. Goenka Public School, Model Town, to readmit eight-year-old Aadriti Pathak, a student diagnosed with mild autism, after finding the school created a “hostile and unsupportive environment.”

The court’s decision, delivered Tuesday, stems from a petition filed by Aadriti’s mother, who alleged the school failed to provide adequate support for her daughter, leading to her withdrawal in 2023. The school had argued that Aadriti exhibited “severe behavioral issues” and that she had subsequently been allotted another school through a Directorate of Education (DoE) draw of lots.

Justice Vikas Mahajan strongly refuted the school’s claims, stating that the flagged behavior “should have triggered support” rather than distancing. He emphasized that the school’s actions effectively deprived Aadriti of her statutory right to inclusive education.

The court further noted that Aadriti “can flourish in the right environment” and ordered her readmission, contingent upon her being assisted by a parent-appointed shadow teacher and adhering to the school’s basic decorum and safety standards.

Aadriti’s lawyer, Ashok Agarwal, argued that no medical professional had recommended a special school, instead suggesting an integrated school setting.

The court cited the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, underscoring that the right to inclusive education is enforceable and cannot be denied due to an institution’s reluctance to adapt. Aadriti’s mother expressed hope that the judgment would compel schools to prioritize students with disabilities and prompt the DoE to take action against violations.

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