High Court Awards Rs 1.3 Crore Compensation for Campus Wall Collapse That Left Student Paralyzed
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has delivered a landmark judgment, awarding compensation exceeding Rs 1.3 crore to a woman who suffered permanent paralysis after a wall collapsed on her university campus in 2013. The court emphasized that the Constitution does not require students to pursue education in unsafe structures, upholding the fundamental right to a secure learning environment.
Court Recognizes Profound Impact on Life and Marriage Prospects
A division bench comprising Justice Harsimran Singh Sethi and Justice Vikas Suri observed that the appellant, Sandeep Kaur, was a young woman whose dreams of marriage and motherhood were severely impacted by the tragic incident. The court stated, "It is well recognized that marriage and companionship are integral parts of natural human life. Given her 100% functional disability, it is near impossible for her to rear children and enjoy the simple pleasures of marital life."
At the time of the incident in October 2013, Sandeep Kaur was a 23-year-old final-year BSc student at Desh Bhagat University in Fatehgarh Sahib district. During a dust storm, the wall of a campus bathroom collapsed on her, causing severe spinal injuries that resulted in paraplegia and permanent disability assessed at 90-100%.
Legal Proceedings and University Liability
The court invoked the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur (the thing speaks for itself), noting that such collapses ordinarily do not occur without negligence. An FIR under Section 338 of the Indian Penal Code was registered at Amloh police station, though the sole accused, a university employee, was discharged in 2017.
After initial treatment at Civil Hospital in Mandi Gobindgarh, Sandeep Kaur was transferred to Government Medical College and Hospital in Chandigarh and later to a private hospital in Panchkula. While the university covered some medical expenses, disputes over liability and adequate compensation led her to approach the High Court, seeking reinvestigation and Rs 1 crore in damages.
Comprehensive Compensation Calculation
The High Court meticulously calculated the compensation by considering multiple factors:
- Notional income and future prospects of the appellant
- Costs for lifelong attendant care and future medical expenses
- Compensation for pain, suffering, and loss of marriage prospects
The total award of Rs 1,37,24,000 carries an annual interest rate of 7.5% from the date of the writ petition filing until realization. The court directed the university and its managing body to pay the amount jointly and severally within three months.
Rejection of Inadequate Settlement Offer
The court firmly rejected the university's earlier offer of Rs 5 lakh and employment as a "full and final settlement," describing it as wholly disproportionate to the gravity of injuries and lifelong consequences faced by the petitioner.
The bench emphasized, "Every student possesses a right to obtain education in a safe environment, free from physical hazards. This is a crucial aspect of Articles 21 and 21A of the Constitution. The corresponding duty to fulfill this right lies with the authorities running the institution."
This judgment reinforces institutional accountability for student safety and sets a significant precedent for compensation in cases of campus negligence.
