In a suo moto case concerning the rise in student suicides, particularly in Kota, the Rajasthan High Court expressed deep concern over the absence of proper legislation to regulate coaching centers in the state. Despite a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) pending since 2016, no law has yet been passed by the state government.
The Division Bench, led by Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice Mukesh Rajpurohit, stated that the Court has issued several directions over time to address the worsening conditions in coaching centers.
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"We also find that in the year 2025 itself, about 14 suicides have taken place. This is a matter of serious concern for us. This Court has been passing various orders from time to time to bring about a change in the sorry state of affairs which is reflected from series of directions which have been issued by this Court on previous dates,"
— Rajasthan High Court
Earlier in the proceedings, a request was made to enforce interim guidelines issued by the Central Government until suitable legislation could be enacted. However, the Court noted opposition from one of the respondents, a coaching institute operator in Kota, who cited ongoing Supreme Court proceedings on the same issue.
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According to the respondent, the Supreme Court is already hearing a case regarding suicides in educational institutions, with the next hearing scheduled for May 23, 2025. The respondent also indicated an intention to seek the transfer of this suo moto PIL to the Supreme Court, requesting the High Court to wait for further developments from the Apex Court.
“Since no legislation has been framed despite pendency of this petition since 2016, this Court was inclined to issue appropriate directions for implementation of the guidelines of the Central Government till appropriate legislation comes in place by passing a detailed order today itself, taking into consideration the gravity of the situation.
We are however inclined to defer passing further orders in the matter in view of what has been stated by learned counsel for the respondents…”
— Rajasthan High Court
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Taking these submissions into account, and respecting the Supreme Court’s cognizance of the matter, the Rajasthan High Court chose to temporarily withhold further directions. The bench emphasized the seriousness of the situation but agreed to wait for the Apex Court's hearing before proceeding.
The matter has now been listed for a fresh hearing two weeks from the date of this order.
Title: Suo Moto v State of Rajasthan, and other connected petition
