HC: Closure of Educational Institutions due to COVID-19, not akin to 'Holidays' (Read Order)

The Allahabad High Court dismissed a public interest litigation filed by Ashutosh Kumar Pandey seeking for a Government Order directing all the schools and colleges in the State of Uttar Pradesh not to charge monthly fees from the students.

The petitioner, Ashutosh Kumar Pandey, had submitted before the court that schools and colleges were completely closed in lockdown period so the closure of school and other educational institution during this Covid pandemic crisis should be treated as ‘holidays’ and an order should be passed to restrain the education institution demanding for monthly fees including tuition fees, fees for facility which school provides to the children in campus.

The High Court bench comprising of Justice Mrs. Sunita Agarwal and Justice Saumitra Dayal Singh while declaring the PIL as ‘misconceived petition’ observed that the submission of the petitioner that the schools are observing holidays during Covid-19 epidemic is absolutely false/wrong. The bench said that educational institution has conducted the online classes for students to cover syllabus and homework was also given to them and checked by teachers.

While observing that; "the petitioner herein has no locus to raise the issue, that too, in the nature of mandamus commanding the respondents i.e. the State Government to issue a Government Order in this respect court for the same,” the Court dismissed this PIL.  

Case Details 

Before: Allahbad High Court

Quorum: - Justice Mrs. Sunita Agarwal and Justice Saumitra Dayal Singh

Case: - Public Interest Litigation (PIL) No. - 655 of 2020

Petitioner: - Ashutosh Kumar Pandey

Respondent: - Union Of India and Another

Counsel for Petitioner: - In Person

Counsel for Respondent: - A.S.G.I., C.S.C.

Order date: 14-06-20

Read Order @LatestLaws.com