DAV school sealing: GHMC acting like dictator says HC
Hyderabad, March 18 (INN): Stating that the GHMC officials were acting like 'dictators', the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Friday ordered the immediate de-sealing of the main gate of the DAV School which was sealed by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation on Thursday.
Justice L Narasimha Reddy lashed out at the GHMC officials for sealing the school at a time when the examinations were in progress and said that the GHMC officials were acting like dictators. He also said that the Corporation was targeting a school when it could not even maintain the roads properly. Justice Narasimha Reddy also directed the presence of the commissioner of the GHMC and senior staff who resorted to this in the court on Monday.
Earlier, the management of the DAV Public school in Safilguda, Hyderabad filed a writ petition before the High Court and sought an order de-sealing the premises. The DAV school management complained that in the name of non-clearance of arrears of property tax, the GHMC had sealed the office of the principal.
The management also stated that when they objected to the GHMC action, a police case was registered against them. The school management pointed out that the tax was enhanced by more than ten times and the sealing came at a time when the examinations were in progress. The management said that the students are suffering due to the GHMC's action.
Taking note of their plea, Justice Narasimha Reddy said that the main gate should be opened before Noon. He directed the Registrar of the Court to communicate this to the GHMC. Justice Reddy also ordered the GHMC Commissioner to be present before it on Monday.
The counsel for the GHMC tried to impress the court that the Commissioner was not directly responsible for the sealing, but this was overruled. Justice Narasimha Reddy said that the GHMC Commissioner is vicariously liable.
Justice Narasimha Reddy also warned that the GHMC officials that they will face the consequences if they continue to act like dictators. He said that DAV institutions had withstood the British onslaught and they are not fly-by-night operators. The case will be listed on Monday for the corporation officers to answer how the seal was put on the institution when the examinations were in progress.
News Posted: 18 March, 2011
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