Caroline v. The Secretary To Government

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED :20.08.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE Mr.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN and W.M.P.Nos.11332 and 17498 of 2025 Caroline ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Secretary to Government, School Education Department, St. Fort George, Chennai - 600 009.

2. The Director, School Education Department, College Road, Chennai - 600 006.

... Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the second respondent to recall their Notice Na.Ka.En.5770/E3/2024 dated 22.11.2024 and allow the Management to Run the school continuously for the welfare of the children who have hailed from Weaker Section, below poverty and fisherman community.

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For Petitioner : Mr.R.Krishna Kumar For Respondents : Mrs.S.Mythreye Chandru, Special Government Pleader *****

O R D E R

The instant writ petition has been filed with a prayer for issuing a mandamus to direct the second respondent to recall their notice Na.Ka.En.5770/E3/2024, dated 22.11.2024, and allow the management to run the school continuously for the welfare of the children who hail from the weaker section, below poverty line, and fishing community.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is a member of the Parent Teacher Welfare Association and a parent of one of the students who studied in Swami Dayananda Vidyalaya Matriculation School, which was ordered to be closed by the proceedings dated 22.11.2024. It is the specific submission of the learned counsel that if the school is closed, then the students who are residing nearby would be affected.

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3. The said contention was strongly objected to by the learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents, and would submit that the petitioner cannot seek a relief like a public interest litigation against the closure of the school where the management itself has not challenged the same. Hence, prayed to dismiss the present writ petition.

4. I have given my anxious consideration to either side submissions.

5. As rightly contended by the learned Special Government Pleader, the impugned order dated 22.11.2024 was passed against Swami Dayananda Vidyalaya Matriculation School, directing it to close the school as it had not followed the regulations of private schools. It is pertinent to mention here that the petitioner is in no way concerned with the above management and she is only a parent of a student who resides nearby to the school. Therefore, the locus standi of the petitioner to challenge the impugned order is seriously flawed, and this Court finds absolutely no merit in favour of the petitioner, as she is in no way affected by the impugned order dated 22.11.2024. 3/5

6. In this result, this Writ Petition is dismissed. Consequently, the connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed. No costs. 20.08.2025 kv Index : Yes/No Speaking order /Non Speaking Order To

1. The Secretary to Government, School Education Department, St. Fort George, Chennai - 600 009.

2. The Director, School Education Department, College Road, Chennai - 600 006.

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C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

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