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Manager, Abraham Mar Thoma Memorial ... vs State Of Kerala
2025 Latest Caselaw 4273 Ker

Citation : 2025 Latest Caselaw 4273 Ker
Judgement Date : 20 February, 2025

Kerala High Court

Manager, Abraham Mar Thoma Memorial ... vs State Of Kerala on 20 February, 2025

W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021
      and                                 1
38856 of 2022

                                                   2025:KER:18797

              IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

                                    PRESENT

               THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE VIJU ABRAHAM

 THURSDAY, THE 20TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2025 / 1ST PHALGUNA, 1946

                         WP(C) NO. 11839 OF 2021


PETITIONER:

             MANAGER,
             ABRAHAM MAR THOMA MEMORIAL HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL
             (AMMHSS),
             EDAYARANMULA P.O., PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT-689532.


             BY ADV V.PHILIP MATHEW


RESPONDENTS:

     1       STATE OF KERALA
             REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY,
             DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL EDUCATION,
             KERALA GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT,
             THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001.

     2       DIRECTOR OF GENERAL EDUCATION,
             HIGHER SECONDARY WING, HOUSING BOARD BUILDING,
             SANTHINAGAR, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001.

     3       DIRECTOR OF MINORITY WELFARE,
             DIRECTORATE OF MINORITY WELFARE, FOURTH FLOOR,
             VIKAS BHAVAN, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695033.

     4       REGIONAL DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HIGHER SECONDARY
             EDUCATION
             CHENGANNUR, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT-689121.

     5       VARGHESE MATHEW THARAKAN,
             AGED 49 YEARS
             S/O. K.M.VARGHESE, HSST (ENGLISH),
             AMMHSS EDAYARANMULA, EDAYARANMULA P.O.,
             PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT-689532,
             RESIDING AT THARAKAN HOUSE, ANGADICKAL SOUTH P.O.,
             CHENGANNUR, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT-689121.
 W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021
      and                            2
38856 of 2022

                                                 2025:KER:18797



     6       LALI JOHN
             PRINCIPAL IN CHARGE, AMMHSS EDAYARANMULA,
             EDAYARANMULA P.O., PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT-689532.
             (RESIDING AT MUTTONE HOUSE, EDAYARAMULA WEST P.O.,
             PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT-689532)


             BY ADVS.
             V.A.MUHAMMED
             ELVIN PETER P.J.
             K.R.GANESH
             GOURI BALAGOPAL
             V.RAJASEKHARAN NAIR



         THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON
20.02.2025, ALONG WITH WP(C).38856/2022 AND CONNECTED CASE,
THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
 W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021
      and                                 3
38856 of 2022

                                                   2025:KER:18797




              IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

                                    PRESENT

               THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE VIJU ABRAHAM

 THURSDAY, THE 20TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2025 / 1ST PHALGUNA, 1946

                         WP(C) NO. 19227 OF 2021


PETITIONER:

             VARGHESE MATHEW THARAKAN, AGED 49 YEARS
             SON OF K.M.VERGHESE, A M M HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL,
             EDAYARANMULA P.O., EDAYARANMULA,
             PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT - 689 532
             (RESIDING AT THARAKAN HOUSE, ANGADICAL SOUTH,
             P.O.CHENGANNUR, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT - 689 122).


             BY ADVS.
             V.A.MUHAMMED
             V.RAJASEKHARAN NAIR




RESPONDENTS:

     1       THE STATE OF KERALA
             REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT,
             GENERAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT ANNEXE-
             II, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 001.

     2       THE DIRECTOR OF GENERAL EDUCATION
             (HIGHER SECONDARY WING), HOUSING BOARD BUILDINGS,
             SANTHI NAGAR, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 001.

     3       THE REGIONAL DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HIGHER SECONDARY
             EDUCATION
             CHENGANNUR, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT - 689 121.

     4       THE MANAGER
             A.M.M.HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL, EDAYARANMULA P.O.,
             EDAYARANMULA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT - 689 532.
 W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021
      and                            4
38856 of 2022

                                                 2025:KER:18797


     5       LALI JOHN
             PRINCIPAL (NOT APPROVED),
             A.M.M.HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL, EDAYARANMULA,
             P.O.EDAYARANMULA,
             PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT - 689 532.


             BY ADVS.
             ADVOCATE GENERAL OFFICE KERALA
             V.PHILIP MATHEW
             ELVIN PETER P.J.
             GIBI.C.GEORGE
             E.RADHAKRISHNAN
             AMAL PARTHASARADHY
             JEPH JOSEPH
             K.R.GANESH
             SIDHARTH SUDHEER
             GOURI BALAGOPAL



         THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON
20.02.2025, ALONG WITH WP(C).38856/2022 AND CONNECTED CASE,
THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
 W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021
      and                                 5
38856 of 2022

                                                   2025:KER:18797

              IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

                                    PRESENT

               THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE VIJU ABRAHAM

 THURSDAY, THE 20TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2025 / 1ST PHALGUNA, 1946

                         WP(C) NO. 38856 OF 2022


PETITIONER:

             MANAGER .A.M.M.H.S.S
             ABRAHAM MARTHOMA MEMORIAL HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL
             EDAYARANMULAP.O., PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT, PIN -
             689532


             BY ADV V.PHILIP MATHEWS


RESPONDENTS:

     1       STATE OF KERALA,REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY,
             DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL EDUCATION,
             KERALA GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT,
             THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695001

     2       THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY
             GENERAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
             KERALA GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT
             THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695001

     3       DIRECTOR OF GENERAL EDUCATION
             HIGHER SECONDARY WING, HOUSING BOARD BUILDING,
             SANTHINAGAR, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695001

     4       DIRECTOR OF MINORITY WELFARE
             DIRECTORATE OF MINORITY WELFARE FOURTH FLOOR
             VIKASBHAVAN THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695033

     5       REGIONAL DEPUTY DIRECTOR
             HIGHER SECONDARY EDUCATION CHENGANNUR,
             PIN - 689121

     6       LALI JOHN
             MUTTONE HOUSE EDAYARARMULA WEST P.O
             PATHANAMTHITTA, PIN - 689532
 W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021
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38856 of 2022

                                                 2025:KER:18797


     7       VARGHESE MATHEW THARAKAN
             THARAKAN HOUSE ANGADICKAL SOUTH P.O
             CHENGARMUR ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT, PIN - 689121


             BY ADVS.
             ADVOCATE GENERAL OFFICE KERALA
             ELVIN PETER P.J.
             V.A.MUHAMMED
             V.RAJASEKHARAN NAIR
             K.R.GANESH(K/000551/1991)
             GOURI BALAGOPAL(K/002008/2019)
             ABHIJITH.K.ANIRUDHAN(K/1644/2020)
             SREELEKSHMI A.S.(K/1313/2021)



OTHER PRESENT:

             GP- RIYAL DEVASSY


         THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION
ON 20.02.2025, ALONG WITH WP(C).11839/2021 AND 19227/2021, THE
COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
 W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021
      and                                              7
38856 of 2022

                                                                              2025:KER:18797


                                 VIJU ABRAHAM, J.
                 .................................................................
                    W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021
                                              and
                                      38856 of 2022
                 .................................................................
                 Dated this the 20th day of February, 2025


                                       JUDGMENT

W.P(C) No.11839 is filed by the Manager of the school

challenging Ext.P18 order whereby pending revision before the

Government, Ext.P10 order issued by the Director General of Public

Instruction wherein it was found that the school is entitled for protection

under Article 30(1) of the Constitution of India was stayed. Whereas

W.P.(C) No.19227 of 2021 is filed by the 5 th respondent in W.P.(C)

No.11839 of 2021, challenging Exts.P6 and P7 orders and also

seeking a direction to implement Ext.P9 order passed by the

Government wherein it is ordered that it is the duty of the management

to prove that the management belongs to minority community and

hence the management should obtain orders from the competent

authority to prove the minority status of the institution. Whereas W.P.

(C) No.38856 of 2022 is filed by the Manager of the school challenging

Exts.P14 and P16 whereby the Government insisted for no objection

certificate for considering Ext.P13 application for declaration of minority W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021

38856 of 2022

2025:KER:18797

status of A.M.M.H.S.S., Edayaranmula. Petitioner has also sought for a

direction to quash Exts.P17 and P20 wherein a direction was issued to

the petitioner to entrust duties of Principal in-charge to the next senior

teacher. Since the issues involved in these writ petitions are similar, all

these writ petitions are heard and disposed of by a common judgment.

W.P.(C) No.38856 of 2022 will be treated as the leading case.

2. It is contended that A.M.M.H.S.S., Edayaranmula is

established and administered by a religious minority community, which

is owned by members of Laka St.Thom Marthoma Church,

Edayaranmula. The school is named in memory of the former head of

the Malankara Marthoma Church Most Rev. Dr.Abraham Mar Thoma

and was established in the year 1919 as a English middle school which

was upgraded as a high school in the year 1948 and higher secondary

courses commenced in the school from the year 1991. One Rev.Abey

T.Mammen who is the present vicar of Laka St.Thom Marthoma

Church, Edayaranmula is functioning as Manager of the school. No

aided institution is functioning under this educational agency other than

A.M.M.H.S.S., Edayaranmula and that the school enjoys the protection

of Article 30(1) of the Constitution of India and is a minority school as

per Section 2(5) of the Kerala Education Act, 1958. The appointments

to the post of Principal and Headmaster in the school were always W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021

38856 of 2022

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made in accordance with Article 30 of the Constitution of India. On

retirement of Mrs.Karuna Saras Thomas, Mrs. Lali John, who is the 6 th

respondent in this writ petition, was appointed as the Principal in

exercise of the rights under Article 30(1) of the Constitution of India.

Respondents 6 and 7 and one Mrs.Mariamma George were appointed

as higher secondary school teachers on 01.08.1997 and the 6 th

respondent was senior and the single applicant and she is also a

member of Laka St.Thom Marthoma Church. The 6 th respondent will

retire on 31.03.2025 before the 7th respondent. The 7th respondent who

is the petitioner in W.P.(C) No.19227 of 2021 is due to retire on

31.03.2028 and he will also get a chance to work as Principal after the

retirement of the 6th respondent. It is further contended that the 7th

respondent had applied for leave without allowance for five years from

21.10.2003 to 20.10.2008 to take up employment abroad which was

allowed as per Government Order dated 29.10.2003. The 7th

respondent availed leave even before grant of leave on 29.10.2003.

The 1st respondent Government by order dated 05.06.2006 accorded

sanction to the 7th respondent to cancel unavailed portion of leave.

Though the 1st respondent condoned the action of the 7th respondent

availing leave before the date of sanction, it was held that the period

from 21.10.2003 to 28.10.2003 would be treated as non duty without W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021

38856 of 2022

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forfeiture of past service and it is recorded in the service book of the 7 th

respondent that the period of 59 days from 21.10.2003 to 18.12.2003

will not be counted for any service benefits including pension. After a

few months of appointment of 6th respondent as Principal the 7th

respondent filed complaint before the 5th respondent claiming

appointment as Principal without submitting any application before the

petitioner. The 5th respondent without considering any of the

contentions of the petitioner and without considering the minority right

of the petitioner passed an order on 14.10.2020. Challenging the same

an appeal was preferred before the 3rd respondent. The 3rd respondent

by Ext.P3 order set aside the order of the 5 th respondent and directed

approval of Ext.P1 appointment of the 6th respondent if she is otherwise

eligible. It is also held in Ext.P3 that the A.M.M.H.S.S., Edayaranmula

is a minority institution. The 7th respondent filed revision petition

challenging Ext.P3 and a stay petition was also filed. In the revision

petition Ext.P4 interim order was passed staying the operation of

Ext.P3 since the question regarding minority status of the school could

be decided only after detailed examination of the arguments raised at

the time of hearing. Since the dispute regarding minority status of the

petitioner school was raised, petitioner was constrained to file Ext.P5

request before the 4th respondent, the Director of Minority Welfare to W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021

38856 of 2022

2025:KER:18797

declare the educational institution as having minority status. As the

petitioner was aggrieved by Ext.P4 order of stay writ petition was filed

as W.P.(C) No.11839 of 2021. While the writ petition was pending

consideration the Government issued Ext.P9 order declaring that

A.M.M.H.S.S., Edayaranmula is a minority institution and the 1st

respondent is directed to take a final decision regarding Principal

appointment after getting records from the petitioner regarding minority

status. Thereupon the 4th respondent as per Ext.P10 informed the

petitioner that he has to file an application under Section 10 of the

National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions Act, 2004

(hereinafter referred to as "Act 2004"). Thereupon petitioner has

submitted Ext.P11 application for grant of no objection certificate.

Ext.P11 was delivered in the office of the 4 th respondent on 17.08.2021

and a hearing was scheduled on 18.11.2021. Later Ext.P12 notice was

issued intimating the petitioner that the hearing scheduled on

18.11.2021 is postponed and the next date will be informed. Thereafter

there is no communication from the 4th respondent. Petitioner contends

that Ext.P11 application by the petitioner for no objection certificate has

not been granted or the petitioner has not been informed about its

rejection within 90 days of receipt of application, it shall be deemed that

the competent authority has granted a no objection certificate as per W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021

38856 of 2022

2025:KER:18797

Section 10(3) of the Act 2004. Though the petitioner contends that no

objection certificate was not in fact required for declaring the minority

status of an institution which is already in existence, going by the

deeming provision under Section 10(3) the no objection certificate

should be deemed to have been issued to the petitioner. Thereupon

petitioner submitted Ext.P13 application before the 2nd respondent

Government for minority status certificate. The 2nd respondent by

Ext.P14 communication informed that minority status certificate cannot

be granted to the petitioner without producing no objection certificate

from the 4th respondent. Petitioner submitted Ext.P15 petition before

the 2nd respondent to cancel Ext.P14 and for passing order declaring

that no objection certificate have been deemed to have been granted

and seeking other reliefs relying on the judgment of this Court in

St.Marys Higher Secondary School v. State of Kerala, 2021 (6) KLT

OnLine 1110. Later on by Ext.P16 communication petitioner was

informed that by the 2nd respondent Government that application for

grant of minority status cannot be considered without producing no

objection certificate from the 4th respondent. While so the 5th

respondent as per Ext.P17 letter directed the petitioner to give charge

of Principal to the next senior teacher as a person cannot continue as

Principal in-charge for more than nine months, to which Ext.P18 reply W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021

38856 of 2022

2025:KER:18797

was given. Thereafter Ext.P19 request was also submitted by the

petitioner before the Government to withdraw Ext.P16 and to grant

minority status certificate to the petitioner. In the meanwhile the 5th

respondent compelled the petitioner to produce the minority status

certificate or to give charge of Principal to the next senior most teacher

as per Ext.P20. It is in the said circumstances the petitioner has

approached this Court.

3. The 7th respondent in W.P.(C) No.38856 of 2022 who has

filed W.P.(C) No.19227 of 2021, in answer to the contentions of the

petitioner in W.P.(C) No.38856 of 2022 would submit that he was the

senior most HSST qualified for appointment by promotion as Principal

in the vacancy which arose on 01.04.2020, but he was overlooked by

appointing the 6th respondent who is junior to him and is having service

only from 01.08.1997. The 7th respondent would contend that he had

continuous approved service from 01.11.1996 and he was reappointed

as HSST(Junior) English from 15.07.1997 in continuation of his

previous service from 01.11.1996 onwards. In Ext.P3 seniority list also

he is senior to the 6th respondent. Learned counsel for the 7th

respondent relying on the judgment of the Apex Court in Rabidra Nath

Bose and others v. Union of India and others, 1970 AIR SC 470

and the Full Bench judgment of this Court in Pavithran V.K.M. and W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021

38856 of 2022

2025:KER:18797

another v. State of Kerala and others, 2009 (4) KHC 4 contends that

since the seniority has been settled long back, the 6th respondent

cannot claim seniority over him based on the principle of 'sit back

theory' and that the settled seniority cannot be unsettled after a length

of time. The contention of the 7 th respondent that the management

cannot appoint juniors to 7th respondent exercising their right under the

minority status in as much as the school is not a minority institution

even as per the website of the school wherein the school is shown as

"aided general" and not as a minority school. The school has availed

the benefit of 30% management quota applicable to aided general

schools instead of 20% management quota and 20% management

quota. Learned counsel for the 7th respondent would submit that in a

suit filed as O.P.No.4 of 2015 before the Sub Court, Pathanamthitta the

stand of the petitioner in W.P.(C) No.38856 of 2022 is that the school is

to be treated as a secular school and not a religious or charitable

school and that in Ext.P12 order passed by the Sub Court there is a

finding that the school does not belong to a church and according to

the 7th respondent the school administration is run by certain members

of the church. Learned counsel appearing for the 7 th respondent relying

on Ext.P13 bye-law also would submit that the school was not

established for the upliftment of educational needs of a particular W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021

38856 of 2022

2025:KER:18797

community and the church has no ownership over the school as per

the bye-law. Learned counsel would further submit that 7th respondent

also belongs to Marthoma Community and therefore, the appointment

of the 6th respondent overlooking the seniority of the 7th respondent is

absolutely without any basis and the school is not entitled for the

minority status also.

4. I have heard the contentions of both sides.

5. In Ext.P9 (produced in W.P.(C) No.38856 of 2022) order

passed by the Government there is a finding to the effect that the

school is established and run by the minority community. But, since

some disputes were raised regarding the status of the school the

management was directed to produce the document to substantiate

that the school is a minority institution. By Ext.P10 order the petitioner

was directed to apply for no objection certificate as provided under

Section 10 of the Act 2004. Thereupon petitioner made necessary

application in that regard as evident from Ext.P11. While so Ext.P15

request was made before the 2nd respondent, the Secretary to

Government, for issuance of a certificate declaring the minority status

of the petitioner treating that the petitioner has obtained a deemed no

objection certificate since Ext.P13 application for issuance of no

objection certificate was not considered within the time limit stipulated. W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021

38856 of 2022

2025:KER:18797

By Ext.P16 the Government again informed the petitioner that the

petitioner has to produce no objection certificate from the 4 th

respondent, the Director of Minority Welfare.

6. The first question to be considered is as to whether the

petitioner is bound to produce a no objection certificate from the 4th

respondent for getting a certificate of declaration as a minority

institution from the 2nd respondent.

7. The National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions

Act, 2004 has been enacted to safeguard the educational rights of the

minorities enshrined under Article 30(1) of the Constitution of India.

Section 10 of the Act 2004 deals with right to establish a minority

educational institution and the said Section mandates that any person

who desires to establish a minority educational institution may apply to

the competent authority for the grant of no objection certificate for the

said purpose. It is further mandated in Section 10(3) that where an

application submitted for issuance of no objection certificate within 90

days from the date of application the competent authority does not

grant such certificate or the application has been rejected and the said

aspect was communicated to the applicant, it shall be deemed that the

competent authority has granted a no objection certificate. Section 12B

deals with the power of commission to decide on the minority status of W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021

38856 of 2022

2025:KER:18797

an educational institution. It is for the authority established by the

Central Government or the State Government who is to grant minority

status to any educational institution and only on rejection of the said

request by the authority the commission has to decide on an appeal

regarding the minority status of the educational institution. The

Government has issued G.O.(P) No.2/2020/GAD dated 09.01.2020

making it clear that any person who desires to establish a minority

educational institution must apply to the State Competent Authority (4th

respondent herein - Director, Minority Welfare Department) for grant of

no objection certificate under Section 10 of the Act 2004 and any

application regarding minority status of an educational institution is to

be considered by the 2nd respondent, the Secretary, General Education

Department. So on a reading of Section 10 and Section 12B of the Act

2004 and the Government Order dated 09.01.2020 referred to above, it

is without any doubt that the no objection certificate is required only to

establish a minority educational institution. Admittedly the petitioner

school is already an established institution as early in 1990. Therefore,

I am of the view that the direction by the Government to obtain a no

objection certificate from the competent authority concerned provided

under Section 10 of Act 2004 to consider the request of the petitioner

for issuance of certificate regarding minority status is contrary to the W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021

38856 of 2022

2025:KER:18797

provisions of Act 2004. This Court in St. Marys Higher Secondary

School's case cited supra was considering a similar situation and held

that when the request was for minority status certificate post

establishment of the institution there cannot be a direction to produce a

no objection certificate which is required only for establishing a new

minority institution. In view of the above, the direction in Exts.P9, P10

and P16 to produce a no objection certificate from the 4 th respondent,

the Director of Minority Welfare Department for considering the

application for grant of minority status to the petitioner institution cannot

be accepted.

8. The next issue to be considered is the contention of the

learned counsel appearing for the 7th respondent who is the petitioner

in W.P.(C) No.19227 of 2021 that the school is not a minority institution

and therefore cannot claim the benefit of Article 30(1) of the

Constitution of India and therefore the appointment to the post of

Principal has to be made strictly in accordance with the seniority. It is

further contended that until and unless the status of the institution is

declared by the competent authority as per Act 2004, the school cannot

be considered as a minority institution. The Division Bench of this Court

in St.Paul's Higher Secondary School v. State of Kerala, 2020 (2)

KLT 443 has held that it is not necessary for a minority educational W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021

38856 of 2022

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institution to approach the competent authority for declaration of its

status and the institute need only approach the competent authority

when a question arises as to whether the institution is a minority

institution or not and that once the status is declared, necessarily it

relates back to the date of establishment of the institution. The Apex

Court in Ammad v. Emjay High School, 1998 KHC 460 has

considered the similar issue and held that the declaration by the

Government as a minority school is at best only a recognition of an

existing fact and a school remains what it was irrespective of a

Government declaration. The Apex Court in Corporate Educational

Agency v. James Mathew, 2017 (3) KLT 713 has held that once the

management of a minority educational institution makes a conscious

choice of a qualified person from the minority community to lead the

institution, either as a Headmaster or Principal, the court cannot go into

the merits of the choice or the rationality or propriety of the process of

choice. In view of the declaration of law as stated above, it is not the

declaration by the competent authority or the Government that makes

an educational institution a minority educational institution entitled for

the benefit of Article 30(1) of the Constitution of India and the

declaration by the Government is only a recognition of an existing fact

and a school remains what it is irrespective of a Government W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021

38856 of 2022

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declaration and further that once status is declared necessarily it

relates back to the date of establishment of the institution. As per the

averment in W.P(C) No.38856 of 2022 the school was established as

early as in 1991 and that the present vicar of Laka St.Thom Marthoma

Church, Edayaranmula is functioning as Manager of the school which

is entitled for protection of Article 30(1) of the Constitution of India as it

is a minority educational institution.

In view of the above facts and circumstances I am of the

opinion that the certification by the authority as per Act 2004 as a

minority running institution is only a declaration or recognition of an

existing fact that the school was a minority educational institution from

the date of its establishment. In the light of the above, the direction in

Exts.P17 and P20 in W.P.(C) No.38856 of 2022 to the petitioner to

entrust duties of Principal in-charge to the next senior teacher is set

aside. Likewise the direction in Exts.P14 and P16 insisting for no

objection certificate for considering Ext.P13 application for declaration

of minority status of the petitioner school is also set aside. There will be

a consequential direction to the 2nd respondent to consider Ext.P13

application for declaration of minority status of A.M.M.H.S.S.,

Edayaranmula after affording an opportunity of being heard to the

petitioner, respondents 6 and 7 and any other affected parties and take W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021

38856 of 2022

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a final decision on the same without insisting for a no objection

certificate from the 4th respondent and take a decision without any

delay, at any rate, within an outer limit of three months from the date of

receipt of a copy of the judgment. It is made clear that the appointment

to the post of Principal/Headmaster of A.M.M.H.S.S., Edayaranmula

will be subject to the decision to be taken by the 2 nd respondent on

Ext.P13 application submitted by the petitioner for declaration of

minority status.

All the writ petitions are disposed of as above.

Sd/-

VIJU ABRAHAM JUDGE

cks W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021

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APPENDIX OF WP(C) 11839/2021

PETITIONER EXHIBITS

Exhibit P1 COPY OF THE APPOINTMENT ORDER DATED 1.4.2020 ISSUED BY THE PETITIONER (REV. JOHNSON VARGHESE, WHO WAS THE MANAGER AT THAT TIME).

Exhibit P2 COPY OF LIST OF HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS INCLUDING JUNIORS IN AMMHSS, EDAYARANMULA DATED 14.1.2005 DOWNLOADED FROM THE WEBSITE OF HIGHER SECONDARY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

Exhibit P3 COPY OF LIST OF HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS INCLUDING JUNIORS IN AMMHSS, EDAYARANMULA DATED 8.10.2010 DOWNLOADED FROM THE WEBSITE OF HIGHER SECONDARY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

Exhibit P4 COPY OF SENIORITY LIST OF TEACHERS IN AMMHSS, EDAYARANMULA AS ON 1.1.2020.

Exhibit P5 COPY OF SENIORITY LIST OF TEACHERS IN AMMHSS, EDAYARANMULA AS ON 1.4.2020.

Exhibit P6 COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 4.5.2020 PASSED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT.

Exhibit P7 COPY OF THE PETITION DATED 4.6.2020 BEFORE THE 4TH RESPONDENT CLAIMING APPOINTMENT AS PRINCIPAL.

Exhibit P8 COPY OF ORDER NO.4554/C 6/2020/RDD/CNGR DATED 14.10.20 PASSED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT.

Exhibit P9 COPY OF THE MEMORANDUM OF APPEAL FILED BY THE PETITIONER EXCLUDING DOCUMENTS ALONG WITH POSTAL RECEIPT.

Exhibit P10 COPY OF THE ORDER OF THE SECOND RESPONDENT DATED 17.3.2021.

W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021

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Exhibit P11 COPY OF THE REVISION PETITION FILED BY THE FIFTH RESPONDENT.

Exhibit P12               COPY OF THE STAY PETITION.

Exhibit P13               COPY OF THE JUDGMENT IN WP(C) 8655/21
                          DATED 31.3.2021.

Exhibit P14               COPY OF THE NOTICE DATED 26.4.2021
                          FROM THE FIRST RESPONDENT.

Exhibit P15               COPY OF THE REVISION PETITION FILED BY
                          THE PETITIONER AGAINST EXHIBIT P10.

Exhibit P16               COPY OF THE APPLICATION TO CONSIDER
                          REVISION PETITION OF THE SIXTH
                          RESPONDENT DURING THE HEARING ON
                          26.4.2021.

Exhibit P17               COPY OF THE HEARING NOTE EXCLUDING
                          DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED BY COUNSEL FOR
                          PETITIONER.

Exhibit P18               COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 29.4.2021
                          STAYING EXHIBIT P12.

Exhibit P19               COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION SEEKING TO
                          DECLARE AMMHSS AS A MINORITY
                          INSTITUTION EXCLUDING DOCUMENTS.

Exhibit P20               COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 4.2.2014 BY
                          THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR MINORITY
                          EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

Exhibit P21               COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 4.7.2019 BY
                          THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR MINORITY
                          EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

Exhibit P22               COPY OF LETTER NO.GEDN-F3/10/2020-
                          G.EDN. DATED 15.3.2021 FROM FIRST
                          RESPONDENT.
 W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021

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                    APPENDIX OF WP(C) 19227/2021

PETITIONER EXHIBITS

Exhibit P1                TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER

NO.C6/7816/HSE/96 DATED 19/08/1997 OF THE DIRECTOR.

Exhibit P2 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER NO.C6/13664/HSE/97 DATED 31/03/1998 OF THE DIRECTOR.

Exhibit P3 TRUE COPY OF THE SENIORITY LIST.

Exhibit P4 TRUE COPY OF THE APPOINTMENT ORDER OF SMT.LALI JOHN DATED 01/04/2020.

Exhibit P5 TRUE COPY OF THE REVISION FILED BEFORE THE RDD HSE, CHENGANNUR DATED 04/06/2020.

Exhibit P6 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER NO.4554/C6/2020/RDD/CNGR DATED 14/10/2020 OF THE 3RD RESPONDENT.

Exhibit P7 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER NO.ACD.A3/190427/2020/HSE DATED 17/03/2021 OF THE DIRECTOR.

Exhibit P8 TRUE COPY OF THE REVISION PETITION FILED BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT DATED 25/03/2021.

Exhibit P8(A) TRUE COPY OF THE STAY PETITION FILED ALONG WITH EXHIBIT P8 DATED 25/3/2021.

Exhibit P9 TRUE COPY OF THE G.O.(RT) NO.3260/2021/GEDN DATED 05/07/2021 OF THE GOVT.

Exhibit P10 TRUE COPY OF THE DECISION REPORTED IN 2019(4) KLT 315 DECIDED ON 16/08/2019.

W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021

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Exhibit P11 TRUE COPY OF THE EXTRACT OF THE NOTIFICATION IN THE WEB SITE.

Exhibit P12 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT IN O.P.NO.04/2015 DATED 04/02/2017 OF THE SUB COURT, PATHANAMTHITTA.

Exhibit P13 TRUE COPY OF THE BYE-LAWS OF THE SCHOOL.

Exhibit P14 TRUE COPY OF THE DECISION REPORTED IN 2015 KHC 4565.

Exhibit P-15 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT IN WP(C)NO.2494/2021 DATED 16.03.2023 W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021

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APPENDIX OF WP(C) 38856/2022

PETITIONER EXHIBITS

Exhibit P1 COPY OF THE APPOINTMENT ORDER DATED 01.04.2020 APPOINTING SIXTH RESPONDENT LALI JOHN AS PRINCIPAL

Exhibit P2 A COPY OF THE ORDER NO 1423/CI/RDD/CNGR DATED 04.05.2020 BY THE FIFTH RESPONDENT PERMITTING THE SIXTH RESPONDENT TO HOLD PRINCIPAL IN CHARGE

Exhibit P3 A COPY OF THE ORDER OF THE THIRD RESPONDENT DATED 17.03.2021 FINDING THAT AMMHSS IS A MINORITY INSTITUTION AND DIRECTING APPROVAL OF EXHIBIT P 1

Exhibit P4 COPY OF ORDER NO. 2696/2021/GEDN DATED 29.04.2021 STAYING EXHIBIT P3 PASSED BY FIRST RESPONDENT

Exhibit P5 COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION DATED 17.05.2021 SEEKING TO DECLARE A.M.M.H.S.S AS A MINORITY INSTITUTION EXCLUDING DOCUMENTS

Exhibit P6 COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 04.02.2014 BY THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR MINORITY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Exhibit P7 COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 04.07.2019 BY THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR MINORITY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Exhibit P8 COPY OF LETTER NO. G.EDN -F3/10/2020- G.EDN DATED 15.03.2021

Exhibit P9 COPY OF ORDER NO. 3260/2021 G.EDN DATED 05.07.2021 PASSED BY FIRST RESPONDENT HOLDING THAT AMMHSS EDAYARANMULA IS A MINORITY INSTITUTION W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021

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Exhibit P10 TYPED COPY OF THE LETTER NO. 4876 MSC 2021 DMW DATED 16.07.2021 FROM THE FOURTH RESPONDENT DIRECTING TO SUBMIT APPLICATION IN PRESCRIBED FORM

Exhibit P11 COPY OF THE APPLICATION DATED 13.08.21 FOR N.O.C IN PRESCRIBED FORM BEFORE THE FOURTH RESPONDENT

Exhibit P12 COPY OF LETTER NO.4876 MSC 2021 DMW DATED 15.11.21 INFORMING ABOUT ADJOURNMENT OF HEARING ON EXHIBIT P11

Exhibit P13 COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR MINORITY STATUS CERTIFICATE A.M.M.H.S.S, EDAYARANMULA DATED 28.03.2022

Exhibit P14 COPY OF LETTER NO. GEDN -F3/116/ 2022- G.EDN DATED 22.04.2022 FROM THE SECOND RESPONDENT REQUESTING TO PRODUCE NOC

Exhibit P15 COPY OF PETITION DATED 06.05.2022 FILED BY PETITIONER BEFORE THE SECOND RESPONDENT AGAINST EXHIBIT P14

Exhibit P16 COPY OF LETTER NO. NO. GEDN -F3/116/ 2022-G.EDN DATED 04.07.2022 FROM SECOND RESPONDENT TO THE PETITIONER INSISTING FOR NOC FOR CONSIDERATION OF EXHIBIT P13

Exhibit p17 COPY OF LETTER NO.

2893/C4/2022/RDD/CNGR DATED 04.06.2022 FROM FIFTH RESPONDENT DIRECTING TO ENTRUST DUTY OF PRINCIPAL IN CHARGE TO NEXT SENIOR TEACHER

Exhibit P18 COPY OF REPLY DATED 25.07.2022 SUBMITTED BY PETITIONER AGAINST EXHIBIT P17

Exhibit P19 COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION DATED 18.08.2022 TO THE HONOURABLE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION FOR MINORITY STATUS W.P.(C) Nos.11839 & 19227 of 2021

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DECLARATION

Exhibit P20 COPY OF LETTER NO.

2893/C4/2022/RDD/CNGR DATED 20.09.2022 FROM THE FIFTH RESPONDENT TO PRODUCE MINORITY STATUS CERTIFICATE URGENTLY

Exhibit P21 COPY OF THE NOTICE FROM THE 4TH RESPONDENT DATED 04.01.2023 DIRECTING PETITIONER TO APPEAR FOR HEARING ON 10.01.2023

Exhibit P22 COPY OF OBJECTION/NOTE SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER AT THE TIME OF HEARING ON 10.01.2023

Exhibit P23 COPY OF THE NOTICE DATED 20.01.2023 FROM THE 4TH RESPONDENT

Exhibit P 24 TRUE COPY OF THE REQUEST NUMBERED 124/24/HSE DATED 30/09/2024 FROM THE 6TH RESPONDENT TO 5TH RESPONDENT

Exhibit P25 TRUE COPY OF THE SENIORITY LIST OF AMMHSS DATED 01-01-2024

Exhibit P 26 TRUE COPY OF LETTER NUMBER RDD/HSE/CNGR/834/2024-C4 DATED 09/06/2024 FROM THE 5TH RESPONDENT TO THE PETITIONER

 
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