Case Overview

  • Petitioner: Vision Academy English Medium School
  • Respondents: The State of Maharashtra & Ors., including Zilla Parishad, Nashik (Respondent Nos. 6 & 7)
  • Petition No.: Writ Petition No. 12342 of 2026
  • Counsel for Petitioner: Mr. Gaumish Rohra, Mr. Rayyan Shah, Mr. Sameer Parkar, and Vaibhav Kadam (i/b.)
  • Counsel for Respondents: Mr. P.G. Savant, AGP for Respondent Nos. 1‑5 (State)
  • Bench: R.I. Chagla J, Firdosh P. Pooniwalla J
  • Nature of Relief Sought: Reimbursement of fees paid for students admitted under the 25% quota mandated by the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE Act).
  • The Court referred to its earlier order dated 5 August 2026 in Sanskar Primary and High School Pune Vs. The State of Maharashtra and Ors. (WP 9828/2026) for procedural guidance.

Order Details (Chronological Timeline)

1. Fresh Communication: The school must submit a fresh communication in the prescribed format, annexing all supporting documents for the reimbursement claim, on or before 1 October 2026.

2. Initial Review by Zilla Parishad: Upon receipt, Zilla Parishad, Nashik shall call upon the school to comply with any remaining requisitions, on or before 8 October 2026, and the school must comply by 15 October 2026.

3. Recommendation Forwarding: Zilla Parishad shall forward its recommendations regarding the school’s claim to the State (Respondent Nos. 1‑5) by 29 October 2026.

4. Eligibility & Quantum Determination: The State shall determine the eligibility and quantum of reimbursement payable, based on the recommendations, within seven weeks, i.e., on or before 17 December 2026.

5. Release to Zilla Parishad: The admissible amount shall be released by the State to Zilla Parishad, Nashik within two weeks of the determination, i.e., on or before 31 December 2026.

6. Final Disbursement to School: Zilla Parishad shall release the amount to Vision Academy English Medium School within one week of receipt, i.e., on or before 7 January 2027.

7. If Claim Denied: Should the school be found ineligible for any reimbursement, a reasoned order shall be passed, and the school may pursue further legal redress as per law.

8. Compliance Monitoring: The petition is placed for compliance on 7 January 2027. If directions remain unfulfilled, the concerned officers of the State and Zilla Parishad must appear in court to explain the non‑compliance.

9. Costs: No order as to costs.

Final Outcome

The writ petition is disposed of subject to the detailed timeline above; the school must follow the prescribed procedural steps to obtain reimbursement, and the State and Zilla Parishad are bound by the stipulated deadlines.

Topics: Court Order, Right to Education, Fee Reimbursement