Dr.J.Anand, v. G.Arivoli,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 14.06.2024

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.S. RAMESH Dr.J.Anand ... Petitioner Vs.

Mr.G.Arivoli, The Appellate Authority, District School Education Department, Directorate of School Education, DPI Campus, College Road, Chennai - 600 006.

... Respondent Prayer : Contempt Petition filed under Section 11 of Contempt of Courts Act, praying to punish the respondent for willful disobedience to the direction order dated 21.06.2023 passed by this Court in WP.No.18176 of 2023.

For Petitioner :

Mr.K.Thenrajan For Respondent :

Mr.M.Rajendran, Additional Government Pleader 1/5

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ORDER

Pursuant to the statutory notice issued by this Court on 05.04.2024, Mr.G.Arivoli, Director of School Education, as well as Dr.M.Palanisamy, Director of Private Schools, are present before this Court today.

2. The petitioner's appeal was preferred before the District School Education Department, claiming to be the Appellate Authority. It is now represented by the learned Additional Government Pleader that the District Education (Private Schools) is the appropriate Appellate Authority and that the petitioner had preferred an appeal before the wrong forum. However, he would also add that the petitioner's appeal petition has been duly forwarded to the Director of Private Schools and the same is under consideration.

3. Since the petitioner himself has preferred an appeal to the wrong authority, it cannot be termed as a disobedience on the part of the respondent herein, who is not the Appellate Authority. However, the 3/5

appeal is pending before the Director of Private Schools. Therefore, the Director of Private Schools shall endeavour to dispose of the same, as expeditiously as possible.

4. With the above observation, the Contempt Petition stands closed.

14.06.2024 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet: Yes/No Sni 4/5

M.S. RAMESH,J.

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