The Delhi High Court has partly allowed an appeal by teachers of Ring Midways Senior Secondary Public School, ruling that withdrawal of recognition does not itself amount to lawful closure.
The school had been de-recognised after years of financial and management disputes. A single judge later directed its management to return the school land to the lessor. The Division Bench found that direction incompatible with the Delhi School Education Act and Rules.
Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said Rule 46 requires the managing committee to justify closure and obtain the Director of Education’s prior approval after consultation with the Advisory Board. Those requirements cannot be bypassed merely because recognition has been withdrawn.
The court also noted that management remained vested in the Lieutenant Governor when the challenged handover direction was issued. It therefore set aside that direction and clarified that any closure proposal must follow the statutory process.
Directions concerning distribution of available funds and sale of movable assets toward staff salary arrears remain operative.