New Delhi, 10 July (H.S.): The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to Delhi University while hearing a petition challenging the requirement of submitting a passport for the admission of a Myanmar refugee. During the proceedings, Justice Jasmeet Singh questioned the University's policy, observing that a refugee cannot reasonably be expected to possess a passport. The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 13.

The petition was filed by Henry Httoo Aung Lee, a refugee from Myanmar who has been officially recognised as a refugee by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Ashok Agarwal argued that Delhi University's policy governing the admission of foreign students is discriminatory because it does not recognise refugees as a separate category. He submitted that refugees who have fled persecution in their home countries are often unable to obtain passports from those governments.

The petition seeks the removal of the passport requirement for refugees applying under Delhi University's foreign students' admission category or, alternatively, requests that refugees be exempted from the requirement altogether.

According to the petition, Henry and her family fled Myanmar due to political unrest, violence and persecution and sought refuge in India. She has been living in India under the protection of the UNHCR. Henry completed her schooling in India and subsequently applied for admission to Delhi University for the 2026–27 academic session through the Foreign Students' Registry.

However, Delhi University informed her that her application was incomplete because she had not submitted a passport. Henry requested the University to accept her UNHCR refugee documentation in place of a passport, but no relief was granted. She subsequently approached the Delhi High Court seeking appropriate directions.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar