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INTHEHIGHCOURTOFJUDICATUREATBOMBAYCIVILAPPELLATESIDEJURISDICTION
WRITPETITIONNO.5576OF2013with
CIVILAPPLICATIONNO.1885OF2013INWPNO.5576OF2013with
WRITPETITIONNO.4479OF2013with
CIVILAPPLICATIONNOS.1337,1608,1610,1611AND1301OF2013inWPNO.4479OF2013
withWRITPETITIONNO.6710OF2013
withWRITPETITIONNO.7505OF2013
withWRITPETITIONSTAMPNO.27990OF2013
WPNO.5576OF2013withCANO.1885OF2013
TheSocietyofSt.Mary'sSchool&Another. ..PetitionersVs
ThePuneZillaParishad&Others. .. Respondents
Shri GauravJoshi alongwithShri J.P. Sen, Shri PiyushRaheja, ShriRohanDakshini,ShriVisheshMalviyaandMs.NikitaMishrai/byM/s.Federal&RashmikantforthePetitioners.ShriJatinAdhav,theApplicantinpersonpresentinCivilApplicationNo.1885of2013.ShriS.J.RairkaralongwithShriNikhil R.VidhwansforRespondentNo.2.ShriP.J.ThoratfortheRespondentNo.9.ShriKevicSetalwad,AdditionalSolicitorGeneralalongwithShriGirishKulkarniandShriR.AshokanfortheRespondentNo.6UnionofIndia.Shri S.K. Shinde, GovernmentPleader alongwithShri A.B. Vagyani,AdditionalGovernmentPleaderfortheRespondentStateinallmatters.
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WPNO.4479OF2013 with C.A.NOS.1608OF2013,1610OF2013,1611OF2013,1337OF2013,1301OF2013INWPNO.4479OF2013.
TheBishop'sEducationSociety,PuneandAnother. .. Petitioners
VsTheStateofMaharashtra&Others. .. Respondents
Shri R.A. Dada, Senior Counsel along with Shri Gaurav Joshi, ShriPiyush Raheja, Shri Rohan Dakshini, Shri Vishesh Malviya and Ms.NikitaMishrai/byM/s.Federal&RashmikantforthePetitioners.Shri Purushottam G. Chavan for the Applicant in Civil ApplicationNo.1337of2013.Shri Manoj Harit i/by M/s. Jay & Co for the Applicant in CivilApplicationNo.1608of2013.ShriMihirDesaifortheApplicantinCivilApplicationNo.1610of2013.ShriRavikiranTribhuwanfortheApplicantinCivilApplicationNo.1611of2013.ShriS.C.WakankarfortheApplicantinCivilApplicationNo.1301of2013.ShriS.J.RairkaralongwithShriNikhil R.VidhwansforRespondentNo.3.ShriKevicSetalwad,AdditionalSolicitorGeneralalongwithShriGirishKulkarniandShriR.AshokanfortheRespondentNo.6UnionofIndia.Shri S.K. Shinde, GovernmentPleader alongwithShri A.B. Vagyani,AdditionalGovernmentPleaderfortheRespondentState.
WPNO.6710OF2013
SaraswatiVidyalayaUnion&Another. .. PetitionersVs
ThePuneZillaParishad&Others. .. Respondents
ShriP.K.Dhakephalkar,SeniorCounselalongwithShriPiyushRaheja,ShriRohanDakshini,ShriVisheshMalviyaandMs.NikitaMishrai/byM/s.Federal&RashmikantforthePetitioners.ShriS.J.RairkaralongwithShriNikhilR.VidhwansforNos.1,2and5.ShriP.J.ThoratforRespondentNos.6and7.ShriAbhijeetAnturkarfortheRespondentNo.8.
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ShriM.I.Sethna,SeniorAdvocatealongwithShriR.AshokanfortheRespondentNo.9.Shri S.K. Shinde, GovernmentPleader alongwithShri A.B. Vagyani,AdditionalGovernmentPleaderfortheRespondentState.
WPNO.7505OF2013
P.A.Inamdar&Others. .. PetitionersVs
TheUnionofIndia&Others. .. Respondents
ShriSandeepR.WaghmareforthePetitioners.ShriD.R.ShahfortheRespondentNo.1UnionofIndia.Shri S.K. Shinde, GovernmentPleader alongwithShri A.B. Vagyani,AdditionalGovernmentPleaderfortheRespondentState.
WPST.NO.27990OF2013
AmarDigambarShinde. .. PetitionerVs
TheStateofMaharashtra&Others. .. Respondents
ShriS.Gawdei/byShree&CompanyforthePetitioners.Shri S.K. Shinde, GovernmentPleader alongwithShri A.B. Vagyani,AdditionalGovernmentPleaderfortheRespondentState.
CORAM: A.S.OKA&REVATIMOHITEDERE,JJ
DATEONWHICHSUBMISSIONSWEREHEARD: 11 thOCTOBER2013
DATEONWHICHJUDGMENTISPRONOUNCED: 24 thDECEMBER2013
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JUDGMENT(PERA.S.OKA,J.)
1. ThesePetitionscanbedisposedofbyacommonjudgment.
ThefirstissueinvolvedinthesePetitionsiswhetherinthelightofthe
decisionofthe ApexCourtinthecaseof SocietyforUnaidedPrivate
SchoolofRajasthanVs.UnionofIndia1 theprovisionsoftheRightof
ChildrentoFreeandCompulsoryEducationAct,2009(forshortthe
Education Act) are applicable to the unaided minority schools not
receivingaidorgrantstomeetthewholeorpartofitsexpensesfrom
theAppropriateGovernmentortheLocalAuthority.Iftheanswertothe
saidquestionisaffirmative,thesecondquestioninvolvediswhetherthe
Schools subject matter of these Petitions are the unaided minority
schools.
2. UnderClause(c)ofSubsection(1)ofSection12ofthe
EducationAct,anunaidedschoolnotreceivinganykindofaidorgrants
to meet its expenses from the appropriate Government or the local
AuthorityisunderanobligationtoadmitinClassI,totheextentofat
least25%ofthestrengthofthatclass,thechildrenbelongingtoweaker
section anddisadvantagedgroup in the neighbourhoodandprovide
free andcompulsory education to them till its completion. In Writ
Petitions the issue which arises for consideration is whether the
concernedschoolsareboundbytheClause(c)ofSubsection(1)of
1 (2012)6 SCC 1
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Section12oftheEducationAct.
3. Withaviewtoappreciatethesubmissionsmadeacrossthe
bar,itwillbenecessarytomakeareferencetothefactualcontroversy
arisingineachpetition.
FACTSOFWRITPETITIONNO.5576OF2013
4. The first Petitioner is a Society registered under the
SocietiesRegistrationAct,1860andaPublicCharitableTrust.Thefirst
Petitionerhasbeenformedwithanobjectofprovidingeducationfor
childrenofAngloIndianandEuropeanCommunitiesinIndiathrough
themediumofEnglish. ThefirstPetitionerisconductingaminority
school by the nameSt. Mary's School. TheState Government has
issuedMinorityStatusCertificatetotheSt.Mary'sSchoolon30 thMarch
2013.ThechallengeinthisPetitionistotheorderdated4thMay2013
passedbytheEducationOfficer(Secondary)ofPune,ZillaParishad,
Pune.Bythesaidorder,theEducationOfficerrejectedthecontention
ofthePetitionerthattheEducationActwasnotapplicabletotheSt.
Mary's School. He held that the Union of India has granted land
admeasuring7.630AcresonoldgrantbasistothesaidSchooland,
therefore,thoughthesaidSchoolmaybeaminorityschool,itisnotan
unaidedschool.He,therefore,heldthattheentireadmissionprocess
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adoptedbytheschoolwasillegalas25%oftheseatswerenotreserved
inaccordancewithclause(c)ofSubsection(1)ofSection12ofthe
EducationAct.Bysettingasidetheadmissionprocess,afreshprocess
wasorderedtobeconductedinaccordancewiththeEducationAct.
5. AnaffidavitinreplyhasbeenfiledtothesaidPetitionby
ShriMushtakMohammadShaikh,theEducationOfficer(Primary),Zilla
Parishad,Pune. InParagraph6ofthereply,itiscontendedthatthe
land on which the said school is situated belongs to the Central
Government.Itiscontendedthatthelandisavailedataconcessional
rate eitheron leaseor is occupiedunderoldgrant. Therefore, it
cannotbecontendedthattheschoolisunaided.
6. InthisPetition,CivilApplicationNo.1885of2013hasbeen
filedbyanIntervenerwhoisanAdvocate.TheApplicationisfiledon
the ground that due to the illegality in the admission process, his
daughterhasbeendeniedadmission.
7. TheRespondentNo.9hasfiledareplycontendingthatthe
exemption under old grant/concession in the lease rent by the
AppropriateGovernmentitselfamountstoanaid.Relianceisplaced
ontheGovernmentResolutiondated19thMay2012bywhichcertain
directions were given to the schools for implementation of the
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admission process. It was contended that the admission process
adoptedbytheschoolwasnottransparent.
FACTSOFWRITPETITIONNO.4479OF2013
8. ThisPetitionhasbeenfiledbyBishop'sEducationSociety,
Pune.ThefirstPetitionerSocietyisrunningthreeschools.Thefirstis
Bishop's School located in Pune Cantonment area (for short Camp
school).ThesecondschoolisBishop'sCoEdSchoolatKalyaniNagar,
Pune(forshortKalyaniNagarSchool)andthethirdschoolisBishop's
CoEdSchoolatUndri(forshortUndrischool).Itiscontendedthat
all the three schools are minority educational institutions. The
certificatesgrantedbytheStateGovernmenthavebeenannexedtothe
Petition.Itiscontendedthatallthethreeschoolsareprivate,unaided
andminorityinstitutionswhichdonotreceiveanykindofgrantoraid
eitherfromtheStateGovernmentorfromtheCentralGovernment.
9. InthePetition,thereisachallengetotheletterdated19 th
January2013(ExhibitItothePetition),letterdated14 th/22ndFebruary
2013(ExhibitNtothePetition),threelettersalldated7thMarch2013
(ExhibitsP, P1 andP2 to the Petition), the purported interimorder
dated22ndMarch2013(ExhibitWtothePetition),twolettersdated1st
April2013(ExhibitsEEandFFtothePetition),letterdated17 thApril
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2013(ExhibitsJJtothePetition)andtheletterdated26thApril2013
(ExhibitNNtothePetition).Thefirstletterwhichisunderchallenge
isdated19th January2013issuedbytheEducationOfficer(Primary),
Pune District Parishad, Pune to Block Education Officer, Panchayat
Samiti,Haveli,DistrictPune. Bythesaidletter,theEducationOfficer
(Primary) called upon the Block Education Officer to look into the
allegations regardingbreachof the EducationAct committedby the
PetitionersinthecomplaintfiledbythePuneCityCongressCommittee
and to submit a report. On 14th/22nd February 2013, the Block
EducationOfficer, PanchayatSamiti Haveli, PuneinformedtheHead
MasterofCampSchoolthattheschoolwasanaidedschoolwithinthe
meaning of Education Act and, therefore, 25% reservation for the
studentsoftheweakersectionanddisadvantagegroupofthesociety
willapply.ItwasstatedintheletterthattheCampSchoolhasbeen
situated on the landgiven on lease by the Central Government for
educational purpose.TheExtensionOfficer(Education)ofPanchayat
SamitiaddressedalettertotheHeadMasteroftheCampschoolcalling
upontheHeadMastertosubmitareplytotheearlierletterdated18 th
February2013.SimilarletterswereaddressedtoKalyaniNagarSchool
aswellasUndrischoolonthesamedate. On22nd March2013,an
interimorderwasissuedbytheEducationOfficer(Primary)ofPune
ZillaParishad,Pune. Inthesaidinterimorder,itwasheldthatthe
Camp school of the Petitioners was using a Government land in
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cantonmentareaonleaseforanominalrentofRs.2,400/peryearfor
anareaof5.330acres.Itwasheldthattheschoolwasanaidedschool
and,therefore,25%reservationunderSection12oftheEducationAct
was applicable. It was alleged that one division consisting of 45
studentswasillegallystartedbytheschool.Therefore,theadmission
processinallthethreeschoolswastemporarilystayedbycallingupon
theschoolstoinitiateafreshprocessofadmission.On1stApril2013,
thePetitionerswerecalledupontoattendhearingbeforetheDeputy
DirectorofEducationPuneDivision,Pune. Initiallythehearingwas
fixedon8thApril2013whichwaspostponedto12thApril2013. By
communicationdated17thApril2013,thePetitionerswereinformedto
producecertaindocumentson15thApril2013.Itwasobservedinthe
said letter that in the hearing conducted on 12th April 2013, the
Petitionerswerecalledupontoproducethesaiddocuments.Byletter
dated26thApril2013issuedbytheEducationOfficer(Primary)ofZilla
Parishad,Pune,thePetitionershavebeeninformedthattheyhavenot
submitted documents and, therefore, if by 30th April 2013 the
documents were not furnished, anex parte order will be passed as
regardstheprocessofadmissionfortheAcademicYear20132014.By
letterdated29thApril2013,theAdvocateforthePetitionersinformed
theEducationOfficer(Primary)ofPuneZillaParishad,Punethatthe
provisions of the Education Act were not applicable to the unaided
minorityschools.ThechallengeinthePetitionistotheinterimorder
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dated 22nd March 2013 and various other communications set out
above.
10. Shri Sunil J. Kurhade, Incharge Education Officer
(Primary),PuneZillaParishad,Punehasfiledareply.Itiscontended
that the Camp school is situated on a land owned by the Central
Government which was leased at a concessional rate of rent. It is
allegedthatinthepasttheCampschoolhasavailedgrantinaidfor
construction under the old GrantinAid from the State. He filed
additionalreply.Firstlyitiscontendedinthereplythattheschoolsat
KalyaninagarandUndriwerereceivingaidintheformofconcessionin
thepropertytaxes. Reliancewasplacedinthesaidreplyonletter
dated9thMay2013issuedbythePuneMunicipalCorporationregarding
theschoolatKalyaninagar.Itwascontendedthattheauditedaccounts
of thePetitionersshowthat therenthasbeenreceivedfromall the
threeschoolstotallyamountingtoRs.4,93,57,391/andthereisinterest
income.ItwascontendedthatthoughtheschoolsaresituatedinPune
Cantonmentarea,KalyaninagarandUndrirespectively,theEducation
Officer (Primary) of Zilla Parishadhas control over the schools on
various aspects. There is a reply filed on behalf of the State
Government by Nana Uttamrao Raurale, Joint Secretary of the
Education Department. The said reply contains various legal
submissionsontheconceptofgrantinaid.Wemuststateherethatthe
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learnedGovernmentPleadermadeastatementoninstructionsthatthe
StateGovernmentdoesnotdesiretorelyuponParagraphs7and8of
thesaidreplywhicharereallythemainavermentsinthereplyand,
therefore,itisnotnecessarytoreproducethesameindetailwhatis
statedinthesaidtwoparagraphs.
11. Civil Application No.1608 of 2013 has been filed for
intervention.ItiscontendedthattheApplicantsaretheparentsofthe
studentswhoweredeniedadmissiontoclassLKGintheBishopsCamp
School,Pune.CivilApplicationNo.1610of2013hasbeenfiledbya
thirdpartywhoisapracticingDoctor. Theprayerisforpermitting
intervention.ItiscontendedthattheschoolsofthePetitionersdonot
qualifyforminoritystatus.CivilApplicationNo.1611of2013hasbeen
filedbytheApplicantwhoclaimstohaveappliedon18thMarch2013
beforeZillaParishad,Pune,onthebasisofwhichthe interimorder
whichisimpugnedinthewritpetitionwaspassed. Theprayerisfor
admittingthewardsoftheintervenorsintheschoolofthePetitioners.
CivilApplicationno.1337of2013hasbeenfiledbyathirdpartyfor
interventionwithaprayertoconfirmtheadmissiongrantedtohischild.
CivilApplicationNo.1301of2013hasbeenfiledagainbytheparentsof
thechildrenwhohavebeengrantedadmissionsearlier.
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FACTSOFWRITPETITIONNO.6710OF2013
12. This Petition has been preferred by Saraswati Vidyalaya
Union,aSocietyregisteredundertheSocietiesRegistrationAct,1860.
Accordingto the caseof the Petitioners, the saidSociety is running
threeschools,thefirstschoolisSaraswatiVidyalayaUnionPrePrimary
&PrimarySchool(EnglishMedium).Thesaidschoolisreferredtoas
theEnglishmediumschool.Itiscontendedthatthesaidschoolisan
unaidedminorityschool. Itconductsclassespreprimaryandprimary
classesieLowerKinderGardentoStandardIV. Thesecondschoolis
SaraswatiVidyalayaUnionPrimarySchool(TamilMedium).Thesaid
schoolisreferredtoastheTamilmediumschoolwhichisstatedtobe
anaidedminorityschool. Thethirdschoolis SaraswatiVidyalaya
UnionHighSchoolandJuniorCollege.ThesaidSchoolisreferredtoas
theHighSchool. It isstatedthatthesaidschoolreceivessalary
grantfromRespondentNo.1.
13. AccordingtothecaseofthePetitioners,thefirstPetitioner
societyhasbeenrecognizedasalinguisticminorityandacertificateto
thateffecthasbeenissuedtoitbytheStateGovernment.Relianceis
placedontheGovernmentResolutiondated24thMay2012bywhich
minorityunaidedinstitutionshavebeenexcludedfromthepurviewof
theEducationAct.
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14. According to the Petitioners, in January 2012 the
admissionsintheEnglishmediumschoolfortheAcademicYear2012
2013commenced.Itisstatedthattheschoolissuedadmissionformsin
theformatprescribedundertheRulesframedbytheStateGovernment
undertheEducationAct.Correspondencewasmadebyandonbehalf
oftheEnglishmediumschoolregardingprocessofadmission. The
EducationBoardof PuneMunicipal Corporationby letter dated30th
January2013contendedthatatthetimeofgrantingapprovaltothe
schools,aminoritystatuscertificatewasnotobtainedandhence,the
Petitionerswerenotentitledtoabenefitofminoritystatus.Itwillbe
necessarytomakeareferencetotheletterdated22nd January2013
addressedbyEnglishmediumschooltotheEducationOfficerof the
School Board. In the said letter, it was stated that, as demanded
verbally by the officers, the school submitted a list in July 2012
containingdetailsof45studentswhowereotherwiseeligibleforfree
education. However, it wascontended that thePetitioners didnot
implementtheprovisionsoftheEducationActforthesaidAcademic
Year.
15. ThechallengeinthePetitionistothecommunicationdated
30thJanuary2013addressedbytheHeadoftheEducationBoardofthe
PuneMunicipalCorporation(forshortEducationBoard)addressedto
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thePetitionersandtheEnglishMediumSchoolallegingthatintheyear
201213, 45 students were admitted in the said school as per the
Education Act. It was alleged that the school has received amounts
undertheSarvaShikshaAbhiyanandMiddaymealschemeandhence,
itisanaidedschool.Thechallengeisalsotothecommunicationdated
25th March 2013 issued by the Education Officer (Primary), Zilla
Parishad,Pune,addressedtotheHeadMistressoftheEnglishmedium
school. Itwasobservedinthesaidletterthattheschoolisreceiving
100%grantforVtoXstandards. TheTamil mediumschoolwas
receivinggrantinaid.Itwasallegedthattheschoolhasreceivedsalary
grants for the years 201011 and 201112. It is alleged that the
amounts of Rs.9,758/ andRs.6,669/ for the years 20101011 and
20112012respectivelywerereceivedbytheschooltowardstheMid
day meal scheme. From the funds of a Member of Parliament, 20
computershavebeenreceivedbytheschool. ThePuneMunicipal
CorporationhasmadeavailableaplaygroundtotheSchool.Fromthe
fundsofSarvaShikshaAbhiyan,asumofRs.5,500/hasbeenreceived
bytheschoolfortheyear20102011andfortheyear20112012,a
sumofRs.6,000/hasbeenreceivedbytheschool. Itisstatedthat
thoughtheschoolishavingclassesfrompreprimarytoseniorcollege,
byshowingtechnicalities,freshadmissionsweregiventothestudents
intheprimaryschoolandthehighschool.Itwasfurtherallegedthat
theEducationActwasapplicabletothesaidschool.
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16. AreplywasissuedtothesaidletterbytheEnglish
medium school on 26th March 2013. It is stated that it is an
independent and autonomous unaided school functioning in the
separatecampus. Thesaidschooldoesnotreceiveanygrantoraid.
Itisclarifiedthat100%grantisbeingreceivedbythe HighSchool
whichisrunningtheclassesfromVtoXwhichhasbeenrecognizedby
theZillaParishad.ThesalarygrantshavebeenreceivedbytheHigh
School.ItisstatedthatTamilmediumschoolisnotgettinganysalary
grantthoughitisrecognizedasanaidedschool.Itiscontendedthatit
isanindependententity.ItisstatedthattheamountsundertheMid
dayMealSchemehavebeenreceivedbythesaidTamilSchool. Itis
stated that the computers and printers were received by the High
SchoolandnotbyEnglishmediumschool.ItisstatedthattheHigh
School was using a public ground of Pune Municipal Corporation
whichisbeingusednotonlybythestudentsoftheschoolbutalsoby
thelocalresidents. It is statedthatthesaidgroundisnotatall
grantedbythePuneMunicipalCorporationtotheschool.Itisstated
thattheamountsreceivedintheSarvaShikshaAbhiyanwerebyTamil
School.ItisthuscontendedthattheEnglishMediumSchoolisnot
receivinganykindofgrantinaidandthus,itisanunaidedminority
school.
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17. AnotherchallengeinthePetitionistotheorderdated3rd
June 2013 passed by the Education Officer (Primary) of Pune Zilla
Parishad,Pune. Bythesaidorder,itwasheldthatthoughtheschool
runby the Petitioners was a minority school, it is receivingvarious
categoriesofgrantsinaidfromtheGovernment. Itisstatedthatout
of the fundsof aMemberof Parliament, twentycomputersandtwo
printerswerereceivedbytheschool.Adirectionwasissuedtorefund
the fees collected from 45 students in the year 20132014.These
studentswereadmittedintheyear201213against25%quotaunder
clause(c)ofsubsection(1)ofSection12oftheEducationAct.Itwas
observed that receipt of caution fee of Rs.12,000/ amounts to
acceptingcapitationfees.Itwasallegedthatanextradivisionwasbeing
runwithoutapproval. Itwasdirectedthataseparateactionwillbe
takenforacceptingthecautionmoneyandrunningextradivisions.A
directionwasissuedtokeep25%seatsreservedfortheAcademicYear
20132014aspersection12oftheEducationAct.
18. Oneof thecontentionsraisedinthePetitionis that the
authoritiesgotconfusedanddidnotnoticethatthePetitionerswere
runningthreeseparateschoolsasdifferententities.Itiscontendedthat
the Englishmediumschoolwhichisaprimaryschoolisdistinctfrom
the High School and the Tamil school. In this behalf, various
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documentshavebeenreliedupon. Itiscontendedthattheprimary
school(Englishmediumschool)isnotreceivinganygrantinaidand
hence,theprovisionsoftheEducationActarenotapplicable. We
must note here that the learned Senior Counsel appearing for the
Petitioneroninstructions ofthePetitionersstatedthatthePetitioners
willrefundthefeescollectedfromthe45studentswhowereadmitted
intheAcademicYear20132014totheEnglishmediumschoolalistof
whichhasbeentenderedonrecordandmarkedXforidentification.
19.Areplywasfiledbythe7 thRespondenttowhichannual
reportofthefirstPetitionerhasbeenannexedtoshowthattheschool
isreceivinggrantinaid.AreplyhasbeenfiledbytheEducationOfficer
(primary)ofthePuneZillaParishad.Itwascontendedthatanopen
groundhavinganareaof3865sq.metersownedbythePuneMunicipal
Corporationwasallowedtobeusedbythestudentsoftheschoolsof
thePetitionersfreeofcost.ItwascontendedthatTamilschoolandHigh
schoolwereaidedschools.ItwascontendedthatthePetitionershave
availedofthebenefitsundertheSarvaShikshaAbhiyan,Middaymeal
schemeandcomputersfromMLAFund.However,thereplyproceedson
the basis that the three schools were distinct and it is specifically
admittedthattheEnglishmediumschool hadundertakenaseparate
processofadmission. Butitisallegedthattheprocessiscontraryto
the provisions of the Education Act. A reply was also filed by the
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assistant Administrative Officer of the school board of the Pune
MunicipalCorporationraisingsimilarcontentions.
FACTS OF WRIT PETITION NO.7505 OF 2013
20. As far as this Petition is concerned, the same takes an
exceptiontotheGovernmentResolutiondated13thFebruary2013and
orderdated31st July2013passedbytheEducationOfficer(Primary),
Pune. Bythecommunicationdated31st July2013(ExhibitBtothe
Petition)whichisaddressedtothemembersoftheSchoolBoardof
Pune Municipal Corporation, it is stated that considering various
irregularities,aninquiryinrespectoftheaffairsoftheCrescentHigh
School,Pune,runbythethirdPetitionershouldbemadeandareport
shouldbesubmitted.AccordingtothecaseofthePetitioners,thesaid
schoolviz.CrescentHighSchoolisrecognizedasaminorityeducational
institution by the State Government. It is contended that the
Petitioners addressed a letter dated 28th May 2013 to the State
Government for issuing an order that the Education Act is not
applicable to the minority unaidedschools. Thecontention of the
Petitionersisthattheimpugnedcommunicationdated31st July2013
proceedsontheerroneousfootingthattheprovisionsoftheEducation
Actareapplicabletothesaidschoolandtherefore,aprayerismadefor
quashingthesaidcommunication.ThechallengetotheGovernment
Resolution dated 13th February 2013 is on the ground that the
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provisionsoftheEducationActaresoughttobeappliedeventothe
unaidedminorityschools.
FACTSOFWRITPETITIONST.27990OF2013
21.ThisisaPetitionfiledbythePetitionerwhoisaparentof
whose son has been admitted to a Junior Kindergarten run by the
Bishop'sEducationSociety.Thegrievanceisthat25%quotaofseatsin
theschoolarekeptvacant.Awritofmandamusisprayedfordirecting
the concerned Respondents to allow the Petitioner's son to attend
classes.
SUBMISSIONS OF THE PETITIONERS IN WRITPETITIONNO.5576OF2013.
22. ThelearnedcounselappearingforthePetitionerssubmitted
thattheSt.Mary'sSchoolisanunaidedschoolandthatacertificateof
theminoritystatusissuedbytheStateGovernmenthasbeenannexed
tothePetition.HerelieduponthedecisionoftheApexCourtinthe
case of Society for Unaided Private School of RajasthanVs. Union of
India. He pointed out that the Apex Court has declared that the
EducationAct is unconstitutional quaunaidedminorityschools as it
violates their fundamental rights guaranteed by Article 30 of the
ConstitutionofIndia.HepointedoutthataPublicCharitableTrustby
thenameBombayDiocesanTrustAssociationLimitedisthelesseeof
theCentralGovernmentundertheLeasedated10thJuly1996ofaland
admeasuring1.49acres.Theremaining7.55acresofthetotalland
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which was granted to the said Trust under the old grant from the
Central Government has been occupied by the said school as a
beneficialuser. HeplacedrelianceontheextractofGeneralLand
Register maintained by the Pune Cantonment. He urged that the
secondRespondenthascompletelymisunderstoodthemeaningofthe
term old grant. He urged that the termold grant signifies the
mannerofoccupationofthelandandthesamehasnothingtodowith
thegrantwithinthemeaningoftheEducationAct. Heurgedthat
thereisnothingonrecordtoshowthattheLeaserentisbeingcharged
ataconcessionalrate.Herelieduponaletterdated7 thMarch2013
issuedby the Defence Estates Officer which records that no special
concessionhasbeengrantedtothesaidschool.Itisurgedthateven
assuming that the land has been provided to the school at a
concessional rate, thegrantorconcessionwill notamounttoaidor
grants within the meaning of the Education Act. Additionally, he
submittedthatevenassumingthatthereisaconcessiongrantedbythe
Central Government, it does not amount to grant or aid from the
AppropriateGovernmentortheLocalAuthority.Heurgedthatinview
of the definition of the Appropriate Government in clause (a) of
Section2oftheEducationAct,theAppropriateGovernmentinthiscase
willbetheStateGovernment. Hesubmittedthatbyletterdated21st
August2013,theChiefExecutiveOfficerofPuneCantonmentBoard
hasclarifiedthattheschooldoesnotreceiveanyconcessioninthelevy
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of property taxes and does not receive any grant, aid, benefit,
advantage,specialconcessionetcfromtheCentralGovernment.Thus,
thesubmissionisthattheschoolbeinganunaidedminorityschool,the
provisionsoftheEducationActwillnotapply. Hesubmittedthatthe
aidor grantcontemplatedbytheEducationAct is theonewhichis
received from the Appropriate Government or a local Authority for
meetingtherecurringexpensesoftheschoolssuchasteacher'ssalaries,
maintenanceofschools,etc.HeurgedthatintheStateofMaharashtra,
onlytheschoolsreceivinggrantinaidcanbesaidtobeaidedschools
andadmittedlytheSt.Mary'sSchoolisnotreceivinganygrantinaid.
Heurgedthattreatingtheunaidedminorityschoolsasaidedschools
will havedrasticconsequences. It ispointedoutthatnonminority
unaidedschoolsarerequiredtoadmitatleast25%ofthechildrenof
specified categories at the entry level and to provide them free
education for which they are entitled to reimbursement from the
Governmentbuttheaidedschoolsarenotentitledto. He,therefore,
submittedthatifthegrantofalandtominorityschoolataconcessional
rate,supplyoffreeschoolequipmenttotheschooloraconcessionin
thepropertytaxesaretobeequatedwithgrantsoraid,the minority
schoolswhicharenotreceivinggrantinaidfromtheStateGovernment
willbetreatedasaidedschoolsandtheywillnotgetreimbursementfor
admitting25%ofthestudentsasperClause(c)ofSubsection1of
Section12oftheEducationAct.
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SUBMISSIONSOFTHEPETITONERS INWRITPETITION NO.4479OF2013
23. LearnedcounselappearingforthePetitionerspointedout
thattherearethreeschoolsrunbythefirstPetitionerBishop'sSchool
Society.ThefirstschoolisBishop'sschoolinthecantonmentareaat
Pune.TheBishop'sCoEdSchoolisinKalyaniNagarwithinthelimits
ofPuneMunicipalCorporation. ThethirdschoolisaBishop'sCoEd
SchoolatvillageUndri. Hepointedoutthatnoneoftheschoolsare
receivinganygrantoraidandinfacttheschoolsatKalyaniNagarand
Undri are recognized as unaided schools by the Government. He
submitted that all the three schools are recognized as minority
institutionsasperthecertificatesissuedbytheStateGovernmentwhich
areannexedtothePetition. Hepointedoutthatthecampschoolin
cantonment area is constructed on a land leased by the Central
Government.HeurgedthatthereisaBuildingLeasedated24thMarch
1970whichdisclosesthatapremiumwaspaidandthereisaclausefor
renewaloftheleasewithcorrespondingincreaseintherent. He
urgedthatthereisnomaterialonrecordtoshowthatanyconcession
hasbeengrantedinthematterofpaymentofleaserent.Hesubmitted
thatintheimpugnedordereventheschoolsatKalyaniNagarandUndri
have been includedand for the first time in this Petition, 3 rd to 5th
Respondentshavecontendedthatthesaidschoolsareaidedschoolsas
theyarereceivingconcessioninpaymentofpropertytaxes.Heurged
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thattheschoolshavebeenpayingpropertytaxesattheprescribedrates
whichareapplicabletoalltheschoolsinthejurisdictionofthelocal
authority. Hesubmittedthatconsideringthefactthat education
beingacharitableactivity,alltheschoolshavebeenchargedproperty
taxesataparticularratewhichisbeingpaidbythePetitioners. He
urgedthatasfarastheschoolsinthecantonmentareaandKalyani
Nagarareconcerned,theZillaParishaddoesnothavejurisdictionover
thoseareas. Hesubmittedthatastheschoolsinquestionareunaided
minorityschools,theprovisionsoftheEducationActarenotapplicable
tothem.
SUBMISSIONSINWRITPETITIONNO.6710OF2013
24. Learned senior counsel appearing for the Petitioners
submittedthattheEducationOfficerhascreatedconfusionbyignoring
thattherearethreedistinctschoolsrunbythePetitioners. Thefirst
school is SaraswatiVidyalayaUnionPrePrimaryandPrimarySchool
(EnglishMedium)whichisanunaidedminorityschool. Thesecond
school is SaraswatiVidyalayaUnionPrimarySchool(TamilMedium)
which is an aided minority school. The third school is Saraswati
VidyalayaUnionHighSchoolandJuniorCollegewhichconductsclasses
fromstandardsVtoXIIwhichisreceivingsalarygrantsfromtheZilla
Parishad,Pune,thefirstRespondent.Hepointedoutthatnoneofthe
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benefits undertheMiddayMealSchemeorSarvaShikshaAbhiyaan
havebeenreceivedbytheEnglishmediumPrimarySchool.Heurged
thatthereisabsolutelynomaterialonrecordtoshowthattheEnglish
mediumPrimarySchoolreceivesanyaidorgrantandthatthegrantin
aidreceivedbyothertwoschoolscannotbetakenintoconsideration.
Hepointedoutthateventwentycomputersandtwoprintersprovided
underthefundsofMemberofParliamentweregiventothehighschool.
HepointedoutthattheplaygroundofPuneMunicipalCorporationisa
publicplaygroundwhichisbeingusedbythestudentsaswellasthe
residentsoftheadjoiningareas. HeurgedthattheEnglishmedium
PrimarySchoolpayspropertytaxesattheratefixedbytheAppropriate
Government. He,therefore,urgedthattheEnglishmediumPrimary
School being unaided minority school will not be governed by the
EducationAct.
WRITPETITIONNO.7505OF2013
25. The learned counsel appearing for the Petitioners again
relieduponthedecisionoftheApexCourtinthecaseof Societyfor
UnaidedPrivateSchoolofRajasthanVs.UnionofIndia andurgedthat
the4thPetitionerSchoolisanunaidedminorityeducationalinstitution
towhichtheprovisionsoftheEducationActarenotapplicable.
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SUBMISSIONS IN WRIT PETITION ST. NO.27990OF2013
26. ThelearnedcounselappearingforthePetitionershasnot
made separate legal submissions and he has adopted the legal
submissionsmadeintheotherPetitions.
CONSIDERATION OF SUBMISSIONS ON THEQUESTION WHETHER THE PROVISIONS OFTHEEDUCATIONACTAREAPPLICABLETOTHEMINORITYUNAIDEDSCHOOLS
27. Wehave given careful consideration to the submissions.
We have perused the averments made in the Petitions, reply and
documentsonrecord.Thefirstissuewhicharisesforourconsideration
is whether theprovisionsof theEducationAct areapplicable tothe
minorityunaidedschools. Therefore,itwillbenecessarytomakea
referencetothedecisionoftheApexCourtinthecaseofSocietyfor
UnaidedPrivateSchoolofRajasthanv.UnionofIndia. Themajority
viewwasexpressedbyS.H.Kapadia,CJ(ashethenwas)forhimself
andonbehalfofSwatanterKumar,J.ThethirdHon'bleJudge(K.S.P.
Radhakrishnan, J) has partly dissented. The majority judgment
considersvarious issues. Themajoritydecisionspecificallyconsiders
theissueofvalidityandapplicabilityoftheEducationActquaunaided
minorityschools. Inparagraph62,themajorityjudgmentholdsas
under:
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62. Reservations of 25% in such unaidedminorityschoolsresultinchangingthecharacteroftheschoolsifrighttoestablishandadministersuchschools flows from the right to conserve thelanguage,scriptorculture,whichrightisconferredonsuchunaidedminorityschools.Thus,the2009Act including Section 12(1)(c) violates the rightconferredonsuchunaidedminorityschoolsunderArticle30(1).
Inparagraph63ofthemajoritydecision,itisheldthattheEducation
Actisconstitutionallyvalidquaaidedminorityschools. Inparagraph
64 of the said decision, the conclusions of the majority view are
summedup.Paragraph64readsthus:
64. 20. Accordingly, we hold that the Right ofChildrentoFreeandCompulsoryEducationAct,2009is constitutionally valid and shall apply to thefollowing:
(i) a school established, owned orcontrolled by the appropriateGovernmentoralocalauthority;
(ii) an aided school including aidedminority school(s) receiving aidorgrantstomeetwholeorpartofitsexpensesfromtheappropriateGovernment or the localauthority;
(iii) a school belonging to specifiedcategory;and
(iv) anunaidednonminorityschoolnotreceivinganykindofaidorgrantsto meet its expenses from theappropriateGovernmentorthelocalauthority.
(emphasisadded)
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Inparagraph65,themajorityviewproceedstoholdasunder:
65. However, the said 2009 Act and inparticular Sections 12(1)(c) and 18(3)infringes the fundamental freedomguaranteed to unaided minority schoolsunder Article 30(1) and, consequently,applyingtheR.M.D.Chamarbaugwallav.UnionofIndiaMANU/SC/0020/1957:1957SCR930principleofseverability,thesaid2009Actshallnotapplytosuchschools.(emphasisadded)
28. On conjoint reading of paragraphs 64 and 65 of the
majorityview,wefindthatthereisacategoricalpronouncementoflaw
thattheEducationActquaunaidedminorityschoolsisnotvalidand,
therefore, the EducationAct will not apply to the unaidedminority
schools.Theminorityviewholdsthatincaseofunaidednonminority
aswellasunaidedminorityeducationalinstitutions,clause(c)ofSub
section(1)ofSection12willhavetobereaddownbyholdingthatit
can be given effect to only on the principles of voluntariness and
conscienceandnotoncompulsionorthreatofnonrecognition.Thus,
theminorityviewholdsthatClause(c)ofSubsection(1)ofSection12
of the Education Act insofar as it relates to both nonminority and
minorityunaidedschoolsisdirectoryandnotmandatoryTherefore,
goingbythemajorityview,theEducationActisnotapplicabletothe
unaidedminorityschools.
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CONSIDERATIONOFTHESECONDQUESTION:WHATISTHEMEANINGOFAIDORGRANTSUNDERTHEEDUCATIONACT
29. Thesecondissuewhichwillnowariseforconsiderationis
whethertheschoolswithwhichweareconcernedcanbetermedas
unaidedminorityschools. Ifanswertothesaidquestionisthatthe
schools are unaided minority schools, then none of the impugned
orders/notices/oractionscanbevalidastheyproceedonthefooting
that the Education Act is applicable to the schools concerned. For
decidingthesaidissueitisnecessarytoconsiderthemeaningofaid
orgrantsundertheEducationAct. Itwillbenecessarytomakea
referencetocertainrelevantprovisionsofEducationAct.
30. Clause(n)ofSection2oftheEducationActreadsthus:
2(n) "school"meansanyrecognisedschoolimpartingelementaryeducationandincludes
(i) a school established, ownedor controlledbytheappropriateGovernmentoralocalauthority;
(ii) anaidedschoolreceivingaidorgrantstomeetwholeorpartofitsexpensesfromtheappropriate Government or the localauthority;
(iii) a school belonging to specified category;and
(iv) anunaidedschoolnotreceivinganykindofaidorgrantstomeetitsexpensesfromtheappropriate Government or the localauthority.
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InthesePetitions,weareconcernedwithsubClause(iv)of
clause(n)ofSection2oftheEducationAct.Clause(iv)isacategory
of recognized schools imparting elementary education which are
unaidednotreceivinganykindofaidorgrantstomeetitsexpenses
fromtheAppropriateGovernmentortheLocalAuthority.
31.TheAppropriateGovernmentisdefinedunderClause(a)
ofSection2oftheEducationActwhichreadsthus:
2(a) appropriateGovernmentmeans
(i) in relation to a school established,owned or controlled by the CentralGovernment,ortheadministratoroftheUnion territory, having no legislature,theCentralGovernment;
(ii) in relationto aschool, other than theschool referred to in subclause (I),establishedwithintheterritoryof
(A) aState,theStateGovernment;
(B) a Union territory havinglegislature, the Government ofthatUnionterritory.
32. In the case in hand, none of the schools have been
established, ownedor controlled by the Central Government or the
AdministratorofanyUnionTerritoryhavingnolegislature.Noneof
the schools have been established in any union territory having
legislature. Therefore,alltheschoolssubjectmatterofthesePetitions
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will begovernedbyClause(A)of clause(ii) of Section2(a)of the
EducationActandtherefore,incaseofalltheschoolswhicharesubject
matterofthesePetitions,theStateGovernmentwillbetheappropriate
Government. Hence,evenassumingthatanyoftheschoolssubject
matterofthesePetitionsarereceivinganyaidorgrantfromtheCentral
Government,thesamewillnotbeaidorgrantswithinthemeaningof
theEducationAct.
33. Clause(h)ofSection2oftheEducationActdefinesthe
LocalAuthoritywhichreadsthus:
2(h) local authority means a MunicipalCorporationorMunicipalCouncilorZilaParishador Nagar Panchayat or Panchayat, by whatevernamecalled,andincludessuchotherauthorityorbodyhavingadministrativecontrolovertheschoolor empoweredbyor under any lawfor the timebeinginforcetofunctionasalocalauthorityinanycity,townorvillage;
Thus,theLocalAuthoritymeansaMunicipalCorporation
oraMunicipalCounciloraZillaParishadoraNagarPanchayator a
Panchayat. It will include such other Authority or body having
administrativecontrolovertheschool.
34. ItwillbealsonecessarytomakeareferencetoSection12
oftheEducationAct,whichreadsthus:
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12. Extent of school's responsibility for free andcompulsoryeducation
(1) ForthepurposesofthisAct,aschool,
(a) specifiedinsubclause(i)ofclause(n)of section 2 shall provide free andcompulsory elementary education toallchildrenadmittedtherein;
(b) specified in subclause (ii) of clause(n)ofsection2shallprovidefreeandcompulsory elementary education tosuchproportionof childrenadmittedthereinasitsannualrecurringaidorgrantssoreceivedbearstoitsannualrecurring expenses, subject to aminimumoftwentyfivepercent.;
(c) specifiedinsubclauses(iii) and(iv)ofclause(n)ofsection2shalladmitin class I, to the extent of at leasttwentyfivepercent.ofthestrengthofthat class, children belonging toweaker section and disadvantagedgroup in the neighbourhood andprovide free and compulsoryelementary education till itscompletion:
Provided further that where a schoolspecifiedinclause(n)of section2impartspreschool education, the provisions ofclauses(a)to(c)shallapplyforadmissiontosuchpreschooleducation.
(2) The school specified in subclause (iv) ofclause (n) of section 2 providing free andcompulsory elementary education asspecifiedinclause(c)ofsubsection(1)shallbereimbursedexpendituresoincurredbyitto the extent of perchildexpenditureincurredbytheState,ortheactualamount
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chargedfromthechild,whicheverisless,insuchmannerasmaybeprescribed:
Providedthatsuchreimbursementshallnotexceed perchildexpenditure incurred by aschool specified in subclause (i) of clause(n)ofsection2:
Provided further that where suchschool isalready under obligation to provide freeeducationtoaspecifiednumberofchildrenonaccount of it havingreceivedany land,building,equipmentorotherfacilities,eitherfreeof cost orataconcessional rate, suchschool shall not be entitled forreimbursement to the extent of suchobligation.
(3) Everyschoolshallprovidesuchinformationas may be required by the appropriateGovernment or the local authority, as thecasemaybe.
35. Clause(c)ofSubsection(1)ofSection12oftheEducation
ActappliestotheschoolsspecifiedinSubclause(iv)ofClause(n)of
Section2of the EducationAct. Subclause(iv) is the categoryof
unaidedschools not receivinganykindof grants or aid to meet its
expenseseither fromtheAppropriate Governmentor fromtheLocal
Authority. InviewofthedecisionoftheApexCourtinthecaseof
Societyfor UnaidedPrivateSchoolofRajasthanVs.UnionofIndia,the
Education Act will not apply to an unaided minority school.
Consequently, Clause (c) of Subsection (1) of Section 12 of the
Education Act which applies to unaided schools will not apply to
unaidedminorityschools.
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36. ItistruethattheEducationActdoesnotdefineanunaided
school.However,onthisaspect,itwillbenecessarytogobacktothe
Subclauses(ii)and(iv)ofClause(n)ofSection2oftheEducationAct.
Subclause (ii) indicates that an aided school is the one which is
receivingaidorgrantstomeetwholeorpartofitsexpensesfromthe
Appropriate Government or the Local Authority. Correspondingly,
Clause(iv) providesthat anunaidedschool is theonewhich is not
receivinganykindofaidorgrantstomeetitsexpenseseitherfromthe
AppropriateGovernmentorfromtheLocalAuthority. Thus,goingby
Subclauses(ii)and(iv)ofClause(n)ofSection2oftheEducationAct,
aschoolbecomesanaidedschoolprovideditisreceivingaidorgrants
tomeetwholeorpartofitsexpenses.Thus,receivinganyaidorgrants
willnotmakeaschoolanaidedschoolwithinthemeaningof sub
clause(ii)ofClause(n)ofSection2oftheEducationActunlesstheaid
or grant is received either from the Appropriate Government or the
LocalAuthoritytomeetwholeorpartofitsexpenses.
37. It will be also necessary to look at Section 12 of the
EducationAct.Asstatedearlier,Subsection(2)ofSection12ofthe
EducationActdealsonlywiththeunaidedschoolswithinthemeaning
ofSubclause(iv)ofClause(n)ofSection2oftheEducationAct.Such
schoolsarerequiredtoadmitinClassItotheextentofatleast25%of
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the strengthof that class, childrenbelonging to weaker sectionand
disadvantagedgroup in the neighbourhoodand to provide free and
compulsoryelementaryeducationtothemtill itscompletion. Sub
section(2)ofSection12oftheEducationActprovidesthatanunaided
schoolspecified inSubclause(iv) of Clause(n)of Section2of the
EducationActprovidingfreeandcompulsoryelementaryeducationas
specifiedinClause(c)ofSubsection(1)ofSection12oftheEducation
Actisentitledtoreimbursementoftheexpendituresoincurredbyitto
theextentofperchildexpenditureincurredbytheState,ortheactual
amountchargedfromthechild,whicheverisless.Thesecondproviso
to Subsection(2) of Section 12of the EducationAct provides that
where such a school is already under an obligation to provide free
educationtoaspecifiednumberof childrenonaccountof it having
receivedanyland,building,equipmentorotherfacilities,eitherfreeof
cost or at a concessional rate, such school shall not be entitled for
reimbursementtotheextentofsuchobligation. Wemustnotehere
thatSubsection(2)isapplicableonlytotheschoolsspecifiedinSub
clause (iv) of Clause (n) of Section 2 of the Education Act in the
categoryofunaidedschoolsnotreceivinganykindofaidorgrantsto
meetitsexpenses.ThesecondprovisotoSubsection(2),therefore,is
applicableonlytoanunaidedschoolwithinthemeaningofSubclause
(iv)ofClause(n)ofSection2oftheEducationAct.Thesecondproviso
shows that in the categoryof unaided schools there canbe schools
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whichhavereceivedanyland,building,equipmentorotherfacilities,
either free of cost or at a concessional rate. This shows that the
legislatureneverintendedtotreataschoolwhichhasreceivedaland,
building, equipment or other facilities either free of cost or at a
concessionalrate, asaidedschools. Subsection(2)appliesonlyto
unaidedschoolsasprovidedinSubclause(iv)ofClause(n)ofSection
2oftheEducationActandtherefore,thesecondprovisoalsoapplies
onlytosuchunaidedschools. Itfollowsthatmerelybecauseaschool
hasreceivedanylandorbuildingorequipmentorotherfacilitieseither
freeofcostorataconcessionalrate,thesaidschooldoesnotceaseto
beanunaidedschool.Ifintentionofthelegislaturewastotreatsucha
school receiving land, building, equipment or other facilities as
aforesaidasanaidedschool,therewasnoreasontoincorporatethe
secondprovisowhichappliesonlytounaidedschoolsspecifiedinSub
clause(iv)ofClause(n)ofSection2oftheEducationAct.Thus,going
backtoSubclause(iv)ofClause(n)ofSection2oftheEducationAct,
aschoolbecomesunaidedschoolprovideditisnotreceivinganykind
ofaidorgrantstomeetitsexpensesfromtheAppropriateGovernment
ortheLocalAuthority.Evenifsuchschoolhasreceivedland,building
or equipment at a concessional rate or free of cost, such a school
continuestobeunaidedschoolsolongasitdoesnotreceiveanyaidor
grants to meet its whole or part of expenses from Appropriate
Governmentorthelocalauthority.Ifinterpretationsoughttobeputby
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someoftheRespondentsthataschoolwhichhasreceivedanyland,
building, equipment or other facilities either free of cost or at a
concessionalratebecomesaidedschoolisaccepted,thesecondproviso
to Subsection (2) of Section 12 of the Education Act becomes
completelyredundant. Theintentionofthelegislaturewhichcanbe
gatheredfromthesecondprovisotoSubsection(2)ofSection12of
theEducationActiscrystalclear.Itneverintendedtotreataschoolas
an aided school which is not receiving aid or grants from the
AppropriateGovernmentorlocalauthoritytomeetitsexpenses,buthas
receivedaland,buildingorequipmentorotherfacilitieseitherfreeof
costorataconcessionalrate.Thus,aschoolwhichisreceivingaidor
grantstomeetwholeorpartofitsexpensescanbesaidtobeanaided
school within the meaning of the Education Act. Thus, a school
becomesanaidedschoolprovideditreceivesaidorgrantsintermsof
moneytomeetitsexpenditure.Theaidintheformofaland,building,
equipmentoranyotherfacilitiesbyitselfwillnotbeanaidorgrants
withinthemeaningofSubclause(iv)ofClause(n)ofSection2ofthe
EducationAct.
38. Thus,onplainreadingoftheprovisionsoftheEducation
Act,aschoolbecomesaidedschoolprovideditreceivesaidorgrantsin
termsofmoneytomeetwholeorpartofitsexpenses. Obviously,for
runningaschool,thereisarecurringexpenditureonthepaymentof
salaries and allowances to the teaching and nonteaching staff,
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maintenanceoftheschoolbuilding,and purchaseofarticlessuchas
stationaryetcrequiredfordaytodayfunctioningoftheschool.Ifany
amountisreceivedbyaschooleitherfromanAppropriateGovernment
ora local authority tomeetwholeor apart of suchexpenditure, a
schoolcanbetreatedasanaidedschool.
39. IntheStateofMaharashtra,theSecondarySchoolsCode
containsprovisionsforgrantsoraid. Paragraph92.1dealswith
grantstovocationalandtechnicalschools.Itprovidesthatvocational
andtechnicalhighschoolssubjecttoavailabilityoffundswillbeeligible
for maintenance grant on their total admissible expenditure in
accordance with the formula laid down therein. The Secondary
Schools Code provides for payment of salary grants and nonsalary
grants. Paragraph101.1provides for release of buildinggrants to
managements of the schools for erecting, purchasing, extending or
reconstructing theschool buildings. Paragraph101.8provides for
paymentofgrantforpurchaseofsites.Paragraph101.9providesfor
grantinaid forbuildinghostels, laboratories, libraries, observatories,
schoolworkshopsorgymnasiaorforprovidingplaygroundsprovided
the fundsareavailable. Clause105provides that expenditure on
equipmentsuchasschoolfurniture,library,laboratory,workshop,audio
visual andother teachingaid includingequipments oncraft will be
shows shown under ordinary expenditure for the year and will be
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admissible for nonsalary grant subject to further conditions
incorporatedtherein.Paragraph106.1providesforgrantformeeting
reasonable expenditure on hostels attached to secondary schools in
ruralareas,suchassalariesorallowancesofthehostelsuperintendent
andhis assistants, if any, the rent of the hostel building and other
necessary expenditures connected with the proper management of
hostel.Therefore,thegrantcontemplatedundertheSecondarySchools
Codetoarecognizedschoolisagrantintermsofmoneyformeeting
theexpenditureincurredbythemanagementsoftheschools. There
areRulesframedundertheBombayPrimaryEducationAct,1947.The
saidRulesaretheBombayPrimaryEducationRules,1949(forshort
thesaidRulesof1949)whichapplytotheprimaryschoolsunderthe
control of Municipal School Boards under the Bombay Primary
EducationAct,1947.Rule115ofthesaidRulesof1949providesthat
normallygrantpaidtoanapprovedprivateschoolinanyyearisthe
grant for that year andshall becalculatedonthebasis of the total
admissibleexpenditureoftheprecedingyear.VariousSubrulesofRule
115 provide that the grantinaid is provided for payment of actual
expenditure on salaries of teaching and nonteaching staff, leave
salaries,providentfundscontribution,amountofrent,taxes,insurance
ofthebuildingandplaygrounds,officeexpendituresuchasprintingof
letterheads, etc., furniture and equipments, repairs to the school
building,electricitychargesandmedicalcharges. Thereisaseparate
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grantinCode which is applicable to primary schools under the
MunicipalCorporationofGreaterBombay.ChapterIIIandinparticular
Rule45thereofprovidesthatwhileassessingthegrantinaidinfavour
of the schools, the expenditure incurredonsalaries of teachingand
nonteachingstaff,rentpaidforthebuildings,moneyspentonbooks,
prizes and equipments for schools, gathering, excursion and
expenditureonordinaryrepairsofthebuildingarethecategoriesofthe
expendituresforwhichthegrantinaidwillbepayable.
40. Thus, the scheme of all the aforesaid provisions of the
Rulesappearstobethatthegrantinaidismadepayabletotheschools
formeetingtheexpensesforrunningtheschoolthemostofwhichisof
arecurringnature.Thus,theconceptofgrantsoraidappearstobe
payment of amounts for meeting the expenditure of the schools on
variousheadswhichwehavediscussedabove.
41. Atthisstage,itwillbenecessarytomakeareferencetothe
submissionsmadebythelearnedAdditionalSolicitorGeneralofIndia
aswellasthelearnedGovernmentPleaderonthemeaningofaidor
grants under the Education Act. The learned Additional Solicitor
GeneralofIndiastatedthatthoughhehasnotreceivedanyinstructions
fromtheUnionofIndia,heisadvancingsubmissionsasanofficerof
thisCourt. Hisbasicsubmissionisthatthewordsaidorgrants
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under the Education Act must be given widest possible meaning to
includeeverykindofgrantoraidwhetherdirectorindirect.Herelied
uponadecisionoftheApexCourtinthecaseofGramophoneCompany
ofIndiaLimitedv.Birendra BahadurPandeyandOthers2 insupportof
hissubmissions.Relyinguponthesaiddecision,hesubmittedthatthe
wordsinastatutecannotbealwaysinterpretedasperitsdictionary
meaningandsuchwordstakecolourfromthecontext.Healsorelied
uponadecisionofthelearnedSingleJudgeofthisCourtinthecaseof
The Appellate Authority & Chairman Shikshan Prasarak Mandal and
Anotherv.StateInformationCommissionerandAnother3.Hesubmitted
thattheinterpretationofthewordaidinthesaiddecisionwillhaveto
beaccepted.
42. Itistruethatthemeaningtothewordaidorgrantswill
havetobeassignedinthecontextoftheprovisionsoftheEducation
Act.Wehaveextensivelydiscussedthesaidaspectintheearlierpartof
thejudgmentand,infact,wehaveheldthatconsideringthesecond
provisotoSubsection(2)ofSection12oftheEducationAct,agrant
of land, building, equipment or other facilities free of cost or at a
concessionalrateisneitheragrantnoranaidwithinthemeaningof
Subclauses(ii)and(iv)ofClause(n)ofSection2oftheEducationAct.
ThelearnedSingleJudgeinthecaseofAppellateAuthority&Chairman
2 AIR 1984 SC 6673 WP No.26 of 2011 decided on 18th October 2012
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ShikshanPrasarakMandalconsideredtheconceptofthetermaidin
lightoftheobjectsoftheRighttoInformationAct,2005andespecially
inthecontextofthedefinitionofthetermpublicauthorityunderthe
saidActof2005. Theemphasisonthesaiddefinitionisondirector
indirect fundingprovidedbytheAppropriate Government. It is held
that aneducational institutionwhichreceives grantinaid fromthe
StateisabodysubstantiallyfinancedbytheState.Inthepresentcase,
goingbytheprovisionsoftheEducationAct,receivinganyaidorgrant
eveninindirectmannerdoesnotmakeaschoolanaidedschool.The
aidorgranthas tobe formeetingthewholeorpart of it expenses
which is received from the Appropriate Government or the Local
Authority. Weareoftheviewthatnootherinterpretationispossible
excepttheonewhichwehavetriedtogiveconsideringthecontext.
Thewordsaidorgrantstakeacolourfromthecontext.
43. The learnedGovernmentPleaderalsostatedthathehas
not received any specific instructions fromthe State Government as
regardsthestandoftheStateGovernment.He,however,statedthat
he is making submissions as an officer of this Court. His first
submissionisthatSection35oftheEducationActgivespowerstothe
CentralGovernmenttoissueguidelinestotheAppropriateGovernment
or to theLocal Authority for the purposesof implementationof the
provisionsoftheEducationAct. Thereareprovisionsforconstituting
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NationalAdvisoryCouncilandStateAdvisoryCouncil. Therefore,his
submissionisthattheinterpretationofthewordsaidorgrantshouldbe
lefttotheauthoritiesundertheEducationAct.Withoutprejudicetothe
saidcontention,hesubmittedthataschoolbecomesanaidedschool
provideditreceivesgrantoraidtomeetitsrecurringexpenses. He
also derived support for this submission on the basis of the second
provisotoSubsection(2)ofSection12oftheEducationAct.
44.Atthisstage,wemustmakeareferencetothedecisionofthe
ApexCourtrelieduponbyoneoftheRespondentsinthecaseofRohit
Pulp andPaper Mills Ltd. v. Collector of Central Excise, Baroda4. He
reliedupontheprinciplesofNosciturasociis. Itisurgedthatthe
meaningofthewordistobejudgedbythecompanyitkeeps. The
submissionisthatthewordexpenseshastobegivenawidemeaning
soastoincludeanyhelptomeetanykindofexpenditure. Reliance
wasalsoplacedbythepartiesinsomeofthePetitionsonadecisionof
theConstitutionBenchoftheApexCourtinthecaseofInreTheKerala
Education Bill, 19575. The Kerala Education bill provided for a
definition of the aided school to mean a private school which is
recognizedbyandisreceivingaidfromtheGovernment. TheApex
Court considered the question in the context of Article 336 of the
Constitutionof India. It was held that the amount receivedby the
4 (1990)3 SCC 4475 AIR 1958 SC 956
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Anglo Indian Educational Institutions under Article 337 of the
ConstitutionofIndiamustbeconstruedtomeanasanaidwithinthe
meaningofKeralaEducationBill.Itwasheldthatthewordaidhas
notbeendefinedintheBilland,therefore,simpleEnglishwordshould
begivenitsordinaryandnaturalmeaning.
45. Inthepresentcase,thoughtheaidedorunaidedschools
maynothavebeendefined,thewordsaidorgrantsinSubclause(ii)
ofClause(n)ofSection2of theEducationActarequalifiedbythe
wordstomeetthewholeorpartofitsexpenses.Thewordsaidor
grants cannotbe interpreted independentlyof thequalificationto
meetwholeorpartofitsexpensesprovidedunderSubclause(ii)of
Clause(n)ofSection2oftheEducationAct.Moreover,asheldbyus,
thesecondprovisoisalsoapointerfortheinterpretation.Wehaveheld
that if wide meaning is assigned to the words aid or grants, the
secondprovisotoSubsection(2)ofSection12oftheEducationAct
becomesredundant.
46.Toconclude,aschoolbecomesanaidedschoolunderthe
EducationActprovideditreceivesaidorgrantsfromtheAppropriate
Governmentoralocalauthorityintermsofmoneytomeetitswholeor
partofexpenditure.Thus,aschoolbecomesanaidedschoolprovided
it receives aid or grants in terms of money to meet its recurring
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expenditure. Thegrant of land, building, equipment or any other
facilitiesfreeofcostsorataconcessionalratebyitselfwillnotbeanaid
orgrantwithinthemeaningofSubclause(iv)ofClause(n)ofSection
2oftheEducationAct.
FINDINGSONFACTUALASPECTS
WRITPETITIONNO.5576OF2012
47. Inthecontextofwhatwehaveheldaboveonthemeaning
ofthewordaidorgrants,nowwewillhavetoconsiderthefactsof
eachcases.FirstlywedealwithWritPetitionNo.5576of2012.We
havealreadyextensivelyreferredtothefactsofeachcases. Inthe
impugnedorderdated4th May2013, theEducationOfficeraccepted
thattheSt.MarysSchoolhasbeengivenminoritystatusbycertificate
dated30thMarch2013.Theonlygroundheldagainsttheschoolisin
Paragraph 2 of the operative part of the said order, the English
translationofwhichreadsthus:
2. Theschoolhasreceivedlandunderoldgrantfrom Central Government admeasuring 4.750 +2.880total7.630.ThereforeunderRTEAct,2009clause 12C admission for weaker and underprivilege group has to be reserved and as perGovernmentResolution15/03/2013completed.
48. Itwillbenecessarytomakeareferencetotheaverments
madeinthePetition.InParagraph7ofthePetition,itisstatedthat
thelandsonwhichthesaidschoolissituatedisintwoparts.Thefirst
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part admeasuring 1.49 acres, is held on lease from the Central
Government and the remaining part, admeasuring 7.55 acres, is
occupiedbytheBombayDiocesanTrustAssociationLimitedunderthe
OldGrantfromtheCentralGovernment.Atthisstage,areferencewill
havetobemadetothecommunicationdated7thMarch2013addressed
bytheDefenceEstateOfficertothePrincipaloftheSt.MarysSchool
whichisatExhibitBtothePetition.Itisstatedthatthelandisheldon
old grant term which provides that the occupants enjoy only the
occupancy rights and the Government retains the power with it to
resume the land whenever it requires it by issuing a notice to the
occupants.Theoldgrantisanatureoflandtenurewhichsignifiesthe
termsandconditionsonwhichthelandisgranted. Referencetothe
wordsoldgranthasnothingtodowiththewordgrantoraidtoa
school within the meaning of Education Act. The old grant is a
nomenclatureofalandtenurewhichisoftendistinguished fromthe
newgranttenure.Wemustmakeausefulreferencetothedecision
of the Apex Court in the case of Chief Executive Officer v. Surendra
KumarVakilandOthers6.ThesaiddecisionandinparticularParagraph
12explainsthenatureofoldgranttenure.Paragraph12readsthus:
12. Under the Cantonment Land Administration Rules, 1925, General Land Registers are being maintained in respect of Sagar Cantonment. These registers were produced before the High Court and were also produced before us. These are old registers maintained in the form
6 (1999)3 SCC 555
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prescribed by the said Rules. In these registers, the property in question is shown as being held by S.N. Mukherjee on old grant basis. As explained by Mittal in the passage cited above, the tenures under which permission was given to civilians to occupy government land in the cantonments for construction of bungalows on the condition of a right of resumption of the ground, if required, came to be known as old grant tenures. Such tenures were given in accordance with the terms of Order No. 179 issued by the Governor General-in-Council in the year 1836. These require that the ownership of land shall remain with the Government and the land cannot be sold by the grantee. Only the house or other property thereon may be transferred. Such transfers would require consent of the officer commanding the station when the transfer is to a person not belonging to the army. In respect of old grant tenure, therefore, the Government retains the right of resumption of land.
(emphasisadded)
Therefore, the Education Officer has committed a gross error by
completelyignoringthattheoldgrantisalandtenureandnotagrant
inthatsense. Theportionofthelandheldonleaseisunderalease
executed by the Central Government which is not an Appropriate
Government. Hence,inanyevent,whatisreceivedfromtheCentral
GovernmentwillnotbeagrantoraidundertheEducationActasitis
nottheappropriateGovernmentforanyschoolsubjectmatterofthe
Petitions.
49. Atthisstage,wemustmakeareferencetotheaffidavitin
reply filed by the Education Officer. In the first reply, the main
contentionisregardingpoweroftheEducationOfficer.Itiscontended
thatreasonableopportunityofbeingheardwasgiventothePetitioners.
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LearnedcounselappearingforthePetitionershasplacedonrecorda
letterdated21stAugust2013sentbytheChiefExecutiveOfficerofthe
CantonmentBoard addressedtothePrincipaloftheschoolinwhich
thereisacategoricalstatementthatnoconcessionhasbeengrantedto
theschoolinthematterofpaymentofpropertytaxes.
50. Therefore, the order of the Education Officer is
unsustainableanditwillhavetobeheldthattheSt.MarysSchoolisan
unaidedminorityschoolandhence,theprovisionsoftheEducationAct
andinparticular,theprovisionsofSection12oftheEducationActwill
havenoapplication.Hence,thePetitionmustsucceed.
WRITPETITIONNO.6710OF2013
51. NowwedealwithWritPetitionNo.6710of2013.Wehave
alreadyadvertedtothefactsofthecase.Relyinguponthedocuments
atExhibitJandJ1toJ45,itwascontendedthatintheyear2012
2013, admissions were granted by the Petitioners to the English
mediumschool(SaraswatiVidyalayaUnionPreprimaryandprimary
School)in25%quotaand,therefore,itwasacceptedbythePetitioners
that the said school will be governed by the Education Act and in
particularClause(c)ofSubsection(1)ofSection12oftheEducation
Act.VariousexplanationsareofferedbythePetitioners.Wemustnote
herethattheissueiswhethertheEducationAct isapplicabletothe
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school in question. Merely because in the year 20122013, the
Petitionersgrantedadmissionsagainst25%quotaprovidedbyClause
(c)of Section12(1)of theEducationAct to thechildrenof weaker
sectionanddisadvantagedgroup,therecannotbeanestoppelagainst
thestatuteandtheissueregardingapplicabilityoftheEducationAct
willhavetobedecidedonmerits.However,wemustnoteherethat
thelearnedseniorcounselappearingforthePetitionersoninstructions
statedthatthefeesreceivedbytheschoolintheyear20132014from
thesaid45studentswhowereadmittedintheyear20122013shallbe
refunded to the concerned students. The said statement is made
withoutprejudicetotherightsandcontentionsofthePetitioners. We
acceptthestatementandaccordinglyweproposetodirectthatifthe
feesarenotrefundedtill today,thesameshallberefundedwithina
periodoftwomonthsfromthedateofthejudgment.
52. Inparagraph3oftheWritPetition,aspecificcaseismade
out that the first Petitioner Society is running three distinct schools
whichareasunder:
(i) The Saraswati Vidyalaya Union PrePrimary and
Primary School (English Medium) (for short
English medium school). It is stated that it is
privateunaidedminorityschool;
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(ii) The Saraswati Vidyalaya Union Primary School
(TamilMedium)(forshortTamilmediumschool)
whichisstatedtobeaprivateaidedminorityschool
establishedforprovidingeducationtothechildren
especiallyinTamillanguage;and
(iii) The Saraswati Vidyalaya Union High School and
JuniorCollege(forshortHighSchool)whichruns
theclassesfromstandardsVtoXII.
53. Some of the impugned communications proceed on the
footingthereisonlyoneschool.Infactitistriedtobecontendedthat
artificially it is shown that the Primary and Secondary schools are
separate by giving fresh admissions to the students in standard V.
However,theaffidavitinreplyoftheEducationOfficer(Primary)ofthe
PuneZillaParishadacceptsthatthetheSaraswatiVidyalayaUnionPre
PrimaryandPrimarySchool(Englishmediumschool)isaseparate
schoolanditiscontendedinparagraph4thatthesaidschooloughtto
havebeenmadeaPetitioner.Inparagraphs9and14ofthereplyitis
acceptedthattheEnglishmediumschoolisaseparateschool.Eventhe
affidavit filed onbehalf of the School Board of the PuneMunicipal
Corporation accepts the fact that the English medium school is a
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separateschool.Inparagraph4ofthereply,aspecificcontentionhas
been raised that the said English mediumschool should have been
madeapartyPetitioner.InParagraph6ofthereply,thereisareference
madetothreedistinctschoolsofthePetitionersbeingaprimaryschool,
ahighschoolandjuniorcollegeaswellasaseniorcollege. Inthe
reply,itisnotthecasemadeoutthattheEnglishmediumschoolisnot
adifferentschoolandthatitisapartofthesecondaryschool.Onthe
contrary,repeatedly,thereisareferencetoEnglishmediumschoolby
treatingthesameasaseparateschool.ExhibitR3whichisannexed
tothesaidreplyisareportsubmittedbytheAssistantEducationHead
oftheSchoolBoardtotheEducationBoard. Page325ofthesaid
replyspecificallyreferstopreprimaryandprimaryschoolconsistingof
classesfromLKGtoStandardV.
54. WehaveperusedthereplyfiledbytheRespondentNo.7.
Even in the said reply, a separate existence of the English medium
school is not disputed. Apart from the undisputed position which
emergesfromthereplyoftheEducationOfficerandtheSchoolBoard,
therearelargenumberofdocumentsannexedtothePetitiontoshow
theexistenceofthethreeseparateschools.Inviewoftheundisputed
factual position, weare not making a reference to large number of
documents.
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55. Therefore,wewillhavetoconsiderwhethertheEnglish
MediumSchoolisanunaidedminorityschool. Itwill benecessary
nowtomakeareferencetotheimpugnedcommunications.Itisalleged
thereinthatonthefollowinggroundstheschoolwillhavetobetreated
asanaidedschool.
(i) Theschoolsarereceivingsalarygrants;
(ii) TheschoolshavereceivedamountsunderSarva
ShikshaAbhiyanandMiddaymealscheme;
(iii) Theschools havereceived20computers and2
printers from the funds of a Member of
Parliament;
(iv) The schools are using a playground made
availablebytheMunicipalCorporation.
56. In the subsequent communication/order dated 3rd June
2013(ExhibitWtothePetition),againitisreiteratedthatthereare
preprimary and primary, high school and junior and senior college
sections in the school. The gist of what is stated in the said
communicationisasunder:
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(a) TheschoolisreceivingGovernmentaidandgrants;
(b) The school has received 20 computers and 2
printersfromthefundsofaMemberofParliament;
(c) A playground has been made available to the
school by the Municipal Corporation of City of
Pune;
(d) A direction is issued to refund the fees of 45
studentscollectedintheyear20132014;
(e) Furtherdirectionisissuedtoadmitstudentsagainst
25%quotaasperClause(c)ofSubsection(1)of
Section12oftheEducationAct;
(f) Further direction is that separate action will be
taken as regards the collection of caution money
andrunningadditionaldivisionof4thstandard.
57. Wemustnoteherethatthereisnotasingledocument
producedonrecordbyanyoftheRespondentstoshowthat(a)any
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grantsoraidfromtheStateGovernmentorlocalauthorityintermsof
moneyhavebeenreceivedbytheEnglishmediumschool;(b)the20
computersand2printershavebeenreceivedbytheEnglishmedium
school; (c) the municipal playground has been made available
exclusivelytotheEnglishmediumschoolofthePetitionersand(d)any
amounthasbeenreceivedbytheEnglishmediumschooleitherunder
theSarvaShikshanAbhiyanorundertheMiddaymealscheme.
58. Inthereplyfiledbythe7thRespondent,severaldocuments
havebeenannexedincludingtheauditedaccountsofthePetitioners.
Thesaidauditedaccountsitselfshowthatthereareseparateaccounts
andseparatebudgetsoftheEnglishMediumSchool,theTamilmedium
schoolandtheHighSchool.Thesalarygrantsandnonsalarygrants
havebeenreceivedbytheHighSchoolandnotbytheEnglishmedium
school. Tothesaidreply,aletterdated17 thApril1995addressedby
theAssistantCommissionerofPuneMunicipalCorporationtotheVice
PresidentofthefirstPetitionerhasbeenannexed.Thesaidletteritself
recordsthatthemunicipalplaygroundwillbemadeavailabletothe
firstPetitioneronlytoenablethechildrentoplayonit. Theletter
specificallyrecordsthattheplaygroundwasnotbeinggiveneitheron
thebasisofanagreementoronrent.Thissupportsthespecificcase
madeoutbythePetitionersthattheplaygroundhasnotbeengivento
theschoolsforexclusiveuseandtheschoolshavenorightinrespectof
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theplayground.Itismerelyafacilitygranted.Inthereplyofthe6th
RespondentitiscontendedthattheMunicipalCorporationhasgranted
exemptiontotheschoolfrompaymentofpropertytax.
59. Inviewoftheinterpretationwhichwehavemade,even
assumingthatwhatisallegedintheimpugnedcommunicationswhich
wehavesummarisedinparagraphs55and56above iscorrect,the
Englishmediumschoolcannotbeanaidedschoolwithinthemeaning
oftheEducationAct. Intheimpugnedcommunicationdated3rdJune
2013,theminoritystatusoftheschoolhasbeenadmitted. Therefore,
theEducationActisnotapplicabletotheEnglishmediumschool.
WRITPETITIONNO.4479OF2013
60. Now,weturntoWritPetitionNo.4479of2013.Wehave
alreadyreferredtothefactsofthecase.ThechallengeinthisPetition
istovariouscommunicationswhichwehavesetoutearlier.Themain
communicationisdated14th/22nd February2013issuedbytheBlock
Educationofficer,PanchayatSamiti,Haveli,Pune,totheHeadMasterof
the Bishop's School. The only contention raised in the said
communicationisthatthelandonwhichtheschoolissituatedisowned
bytheCentralGovernmentandthesaidlandhasbeengivenonleaseto
theschool.InthefirstaffidavitinreplyfiledbyShriSunilJ.Kurhade,
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InchargeEducationOfficer(Primary),PuneZillaParishad,Pune,itis
contendedthatthelandisleasedatanominalrateofRs.2,400/per
yearandthesaidschoolhasavailedthegrantinaidforconstruction
undertheOldGrantSchemefromtheStateGovernment.Itisaccepted
thattheschoolisaminorityschool.Additionalaffidavitinreplyofthe
3rd Respondent again affirmed by Shri Sunil J. Kurhade is more
elaborate. FirstlyitiscontendedthattheschoolatKalyaniNagaris
assessedataconcessionalrateforpropertytaxes.Thesecondground
is that therent is showntohavebeenreceivedfromthesaid three
schools in the audit report of the Bishop's EducationSociety. The
specificstandisthattherenthasbeenreceivedfromtheschoolsbythe
Government.Wefailtounderstandhowthesefactswillshowthatthe
schoolsareaidedschools. Tothesaidreply,ExhibitR1istheletter
addressedbytheInspectorofPuneMunicipalCorporationtoAdvocate
ShriNileshBoradeinwhichitisstatedthattheschoolatKalyaniNagar
isassessedataconcessionalrateforthepropertytaxesfrom1st July
2004.Whenwemadeaspecificquerytothelearnedcounselappearing
forthe3rdRespondentastowhetherthesaidratehasbeenappliedby
thePuneMunicipal Corporationtotheschoolsrunbyall thepublic
trusts,hefairlystatedthatthesaidrateismadeapplicabletoallthe
schoolsrunbythepublictrusts.
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61. Inanyevent,thereisnomaterialplacedonrecordtoshow
thatanyofthethreeschoolsarereceivinganyaidorgrantsfromthe
Appropriate Government for meeting expenditure. There is no
materialplacedonrecordtoshowthattheleasehasbeengrantedby
theCantonmentBoardataconcessionalrate.Wemaynoteherethata
copyof the BuildingLeasedated24th March1970was tenderedon
record doesnotshowthatany concessionhasbeengrantedtothe
schoolinthematterofpaymentofrent.Wehavealreadyheldthateven
if the Appropriate Government or a local authority makes a land
availabletoaschoolataconcessionalratethatwillnotamounttoaid
orgrants.Therefore,eveninthisWritPetition,theschoolswillhaveto
beheldtobeunaidedminorityeducationalschools. Therefore,this
Petitionmustsucceed.
WRITPETITIONNO.7505OF2013
62. Nowwe turn to Writ PetitionNo.7505of 2013. The
challengethereinistotheGovernmentResolutiondated13 thFebruary
2013aswellastothecommunicationdated31st July2013issuedby
theEducationOfficer(Primary)toShriV.D.JaradandOthers. It is
contended in the communication dated 31st July 2013 that the
provisions of the Education Act are applicable to the 4th Petitioner
school. It allegedinthecommunicationthatthesaidschoolhasnot
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submittedtheminoritycertificate. Variousother irregularities have
been alleged and a direction has been given to make inquiry and
submitareport.Thesaidcommunicationcannotbesaidtobeadverse
tothePetitioners. Inanycase,itonlydirectsanindepthinquiryand
submissionofareport.
63. InthePetition,itiscontendedthatthe4th Petitionerisa
minority school. Wehave already held that the provisions of the
EducationActandinparticularSection12thereofarenotapplicableto
theunaidedminorityschools.Wefindthataminoritycertificateofthe
4thPetitionerhasnotbeenannexedtothePetition.Itis,therefore,for
thePetitionerstosatisfytheconcernedauthoritythatthe4 thPetitioner
isaminorityunaidedschool.Therefore,itisnotnecessarytoissueany
writinthisPetition.
WRITPETITIONSTAMPNO.27990OF2013
64. Now,weturntoWritPetitionStampNo.27990of2013.
ThisPetitionhasbeenfiledbythePetitioner,whoclaimsthathesecured
admissionforhissonintheBishop'sschoolatPune.Itisstatedthat
thePetitionerdepositedthefeeson23rdMarch2013. However,the
Petitioner'ssonisnotallowedtocontinueandsitintheclass. Itis
contendedthat25%seats,outofthetotalseatsarevacant. Butthe
Petitioner'ssonwaspreventedfromattendingtheclass.
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65. WemustnoteherethatinWritPetitionNo.4479of2013
filedby the saidschool, under the adinterimorder dated15th May
2013, the Petitioners were permitted to fill up only 75% seats.
Perhaps,thatisthereasonwhythePetitioner'ssonwasnotallowedto
continuetheclass.WehaveheldthatClause(c)ofSubsection(1)of
Section12oftheEducationActisnotapplicabletothesaidschool.
Therefore, it is not necessary to pass a separate order in this Writ
Petition.
66. Someoftheparentsandtheintervenershavecontended
thatasaresultoftheadinterimordersofthisCourtwhichpermitted
admissionsonlytotheextentof75%seats,someofthestudentswho
wereadmittedintheschools,couldnotpursuetheirstudies.Wemake
itclearthatasasubstantialpartoftheacademicyearisover,itisnot
possibleforustoissueadirectionatthisstagetoallowthechildrento
join the schools against remaining 25% seats. It is for the school
authoritiestoconsiderwhethertheycanbeaccommodatedinthenext
academicyear.
67. Hence,wedisposeofthePetitionsbypassingthefollowing
order:
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Bomb
ay H
igh C
ourt
ash 59 wp-5576,4479,6710,7505n27990.13
ORDER:
(a) InviewoftheconclusionsinParagraph46above,
weupholdthecasemadeoutbythePetitionersthat
(i) St. Mary's School, Pune; (ii) Bishop's School,
Camp, Pune; (iii) Bishop's CoEd School, Kalyani
Nagar,Pune;(iv) Bishop's CoEd School, Undri,
Pune; and (v) Saraswati Vidyalaya Union Pre
primary and Primary School (English Medium),
Pune are unaided minority schools to which the
provisionsofclause(c)ofsubsection(1)ofsection
12oftheRightofChildrentoFreeandCompulsory
EducationAct,2009arenotapplicable;
(b) Allorders/communicationsholdingtothecontrary
arequashedandsetaside.
(c) We direct that the Petitioners in Writ Petition
No.6710of2013shall refundfeesof 45students
(admitted in the Academic Year 20122013)
receivedforthecurrentacademicyear.Therefund
shall
Recommended