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United News of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
SC issues notice on private schools on govt land hiking fees
New Delhi, May 30 (UNI) The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Director of Education (DoE), Government of Delhi, on a plea challenging the Delhi High Court's orders that permitted private unaided schools situated on government-allotted land to hike fees without prior approval from the education department. The bench, comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai and Justice A.G. Masih, was hearing a special leave petition filed by Naya Samaj Parents Association, contesting two rulings of the Delhi High Court that upheld the autonomy of private schools in revising fee structures. According to the petition, 'private unaided schools in Delhi have increased their fees multifold, in some cases by up to 100% and are initiating penal actions against students for non-payment, thereby creating confusion and panic among parents.' The controversy stems from an interim order passed in April 2024 by a Single Judge of the Delhi High Court in a writ petition filed by the Action Committee Unaided Recognised Private Schools. In this order, the court observed that, as per prevailing law, unaided recognised private schools are not required to seek prior permission from the DoE before raising their fees, regardless of land allotment clauses. The order also stayed a circular issued by the DoE regulating fee proposals from unaided private schools. The petition before the Supreme Court specifically challenges paragraph 29 of this order. Subsequently, in its final order dated April 8, 2025, the High Court's division bench dismissed a Letters Patent Appeal filed against the interim order, on the procedural ground that the petitioner was not a party in the original writ proceedings. The petitioner, however, argues that this decision conflicts with previous rulings of both the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court. It cites the Justice For All vs Govt. of NCT of Delhi case, where the Delhi High Court held that the DoE has the authority under Section 17(3) of the Delhi School Education Act, 1973 to regulate fee hikes and prevent profiteering by unaided schools. The petitioner also relies on the Supreme Court's judgment in the landmark Modern School vs Union of India case, which emphasised that private schools on DDA-allotted land must seek prior approval from the DoE before increasing tuition fees. In that case, the Apex Court directed the Director of Education to verify whether schools were complying with the terms of their land allotment and take action in case of violations. A specific clause in the DDA's allotment letters, referred to by the Supreme Court, reads, 'The school shall not increase the rates of tuition fee without the prior sanction of the Directorate of Education, Delhi Administration and shall follow the provisions of the Delhi School Education Act/Rules, 1973 and other instructions issued from time to time.' In its ruling in Modern School, the Court had directed, 'The Director of Education shall examine the terms of allotment issued to schools and ensure compliance within three months. In case of non-compliance, appropriate steps shall be taken.' The Supreme Court has now taken cognisance of the petitioner's concerns and issued a notice to the Delhi DoE for its response. The matter is expected to be heard in June. UNI SNG SSP
Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
HPPCL Chief Engineer Death: Wife moves HC, wants to be informed in advance if state challenges CBI probe order
The wife of an HPPCL chief engineer, who was found dead under mysterious circumstances, has moved the Himachal Pradesh High Court seeking directions to authorities that she be informed in advance if the state government challenges the court's May 23 decision to transfer the police investigation into her husband's death case to the CBI. Kiran Negi, the wife of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited engineer Vimal Negi, filed the caveat in the high court Saturday. In her petition, Kiran submitted that she apprehends that the 'State of Himachal Pradesh may file a Letters Patent Appeal along with other applications seeking an ex-parte injunction or interim stay' against the judgment dated May 23. She submitted that she concerned 'that the respondents (State of Himachal Pradesh) may misrepresent facts before this Hon'ble Court to secure such ex-parte relief, which would prejudice' her rights. 'Therefore, the presence of the caveator is necessary before the passing of any interim order,' she submitted. In her caveat petition, Kiran Negi submitted that she was not satisfied with the investigation conducted by the state police in the FIR registered at the Chhota Shimla Police Station and had therefore filed a Criminal Writ Petition (CWP), 'asserting that the investigation by the state police suffers from grave deficiencies and apparent bias, raising serious doubts about its impartiality and effectiveness.' The high court, allowing a petition filed by Kiran Negi, on Friday handed over the probe into Negi's death to the CBI while noting that the state police chief in his status report had raised 'grave concerns about the mode and manner in which the investigation is being carried out' by an SIT that was led by Shimla's Superintendent of Police. The court also ordered that no officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre shall be part of the investigating team that may be constituted by the CBI. Kiran Negi has filed the caveat through her counsel, including Senior Advocate RK Bawa, Advocate Vivekanand Negi, and others. Home Secretary, DGP, SP Shimla and HPPCL have been pleaded as respondents. Advocate General Anup Kumar Rattan, who represented the state in the HC, tsaid, 'The state government has sought an opinion from me on whether the HC order can be challenged or not. I am studying the order. I will reply to the government within a day or two'. Negi had gone missing on March 10 and his body was found on March 18. Kiran Negi had alleged that his seniors had harassed him for the past six months and had demanded a CBI probe, a request that was shot down by the state government. The government, instead had formed the Gandhi-led SIT, which was rejected by Negi's family. The case stirred a political storm in the hill state, with the opposition BJP alleging a cover-up. While handing over the probe to the CBI, the court said it was 'appalled by the mode and manner' in which the investigation by the state police was proceeding. The bench also took note that an inquiry by the Additional Chief Secretary had flagged serious discrepancies linked to the Phekhubella Solar Power Project in Una district. Yet, the SIT's affidavit failed to explore this angle. 'The affidavit is silent on the alleged coercion to release payments or extend favours to the project,' the order stated. Further, the court criticised the SIT for failing to investigate leads flagged by the ACS within 15 days of his inquiry. 'The SIT was constituted on March 19 but has not gone beyond identifying that the deceased faced 'improper behaviour'. No substantial probe has been undertaken,' the court noted.
India Today
25-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Senior police officer accuses Himachal top cop of derailing high-profile death probe
A major row has erupted within the Himachal Pradesh Police Department after Shimla Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi alleged the state's Director General of Police (DGP) Atul Verma and Chief Secretary of misconduct in Chief Engineer Vimal Negi death Gandhi has accused the DGP of interfering in investigations, submitting misleading affidavits and attempting to manipulate sensitive alleged that the affidavit filed by the DGP in connection with the death of HPPCL Chief Engineer Vimal Negi was "irresponsible" and contradicted the facts of the case. He claimed he had investigated the case honestly and accused the DGP's personal staff of leaking a letter related to a CID probe. He also said the DGP assigned the case to officers of his own choice and misled the court. Citing a previous case involving businessman Nishant Sharma, Gandhi said an impartial affidavit had been submitted during former DGP Sanjay Kundu's tenure. He also accused the current DGP of pressuring subordinates to file a false report in a separate further alleged that a conspiracy was being planned to frame officers using fabricated evidence created with help from the NSG. He said he informed the state government and the Advocate General about the matter, but no action was taken. Gandhi is now considering filing a Letters Patent Appeal in SP also accused the Chief Secretary of attempting to influence the investigation into the Ramakrishna Ashram land dispute. He claimed he was summoned and asked not to question the Ashram head or pursue the probe. Gandhi said pressure was repeatedly exerted on him, but he refused to another revelation, Gandhi said he had flagged irregularities during the 2021–22 police recruitment process and believes some senior officials have targeted him since. He maintained that he stands by his 25-year service record and would resign if his honesty is a video of a court hearing on the Negi case, shared by BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma, has sparked further controversy. The video discusses disciplinary concerns about Gandhi. In response, Gandhi accused Sharma of trying to defame him and linked the MLA to alleged horse trading during the 2023 Rajya Sabha has issued a legal notice, denying Gandhi's claims and saying that the video was court-approved. The case involving Vimal Negi's death has now been handed over to the CBI following a Himachal Pradesh High Court order citing concerns over police impartiality.
