Authority: High Court of Chhattisgarh at Bilaspur

Order Date: 06 July 2026

Case Overview

  • Parties: Petitioners – Biro Lal (43 years, Nandani Nagar, Ahiwara), Tarun Lal (39 years, Dewangan Para, Ahiwara), Baldev Yadav (39 years, Nandini Nagar, Bhilai). Respondents – State of Chhattisgarh through the Secretary, Department of School Education, Mahanadi Bhawan, Naya Raipur; District Education Officer Durg; Hemant Siksha Prasar Samiti through its Secretary G.P. Shukla. Counsel for petitioners: Shri Siddharth Rathod, Advocate. Counsel for the State: Shri Anand Dadariya, Deputy Advocate General.
  • Nature of Proceeding: Writ Petition (WPC No. 3928 of 2022) seeking issuance of mandamus, certiorari, compensation, and costs, challenging the closure orders dated 26‑Oct‑2021 and 15‑Feb‑2022 that resulted in the shutdown of ten schools, including the respondent’s school.
  • Petitioners' Allegations: No hearing was afforded before the closure; the order was arbitrary, violated principles of natural justice, and was issued without any recorded justification.
  • State's Defence: The school was authorized to conduct classes I‑V but failed to comply with policy‑prescribed minimum enrollment of 250 students for urban areas, having only 68 students enrolled. Prior notices were issued directing the school to rectify deficiencies. An inspection by the Principal of Government Higher Secondary School, Patan, Durg, produced a detailed report highlighting non‑compliance, which was affirmed by a three‑member committee. The District Education Officer communicated the decision on 15‑Feb‑2022, leading to the closure order for the academic session 2021.

Final Outcome

  • The Court found that the impugned orders were passed after due consideration of inspection reports and committee recommendations and were not arbitrary.
  • The writ petition was dismissed as devoid of merit; no compensation or costs were awarded to the petitioners.
  • The Court clarified that the respondent institution may submit a fresh application to the competent authorities to reopen the school, provided it complies with all applicable rules, norms, and policy guidelines.

Topics: Court Order, School Closure, Education Policy