&w=3840&q=100)
HC reserves verdict on pleas against UP govt's move to pair schools
A bench of Justice Pankaj Bhatia reserved the order on two separate petitions filed by Krishna Kumari and others, who are seeking the cancellation of the state government's June 16 order.
The petitioners' counsel, LP Mishra and Gaurav Mehrotra, argued that the state government's action violates Article 21A of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to education for children aged between six and 14 years.
They contended that the implementation of the decision would deprive children of their right to education in their neighbourhood. The government should instead focus on improving the standard of schools to attract more students, the petitioners said.
It was argued by the petitioners that the government has chosen the "easier way" of closing these schools, rather than working towards public welfare, overriding economic gains or losses.
However, Additional Advocate General Anuj Kudesia, Chief Standing Counsel Shailendra Singh, and Senior Advocate Sandeep Dixit, representing the director of basic education, argued the government's decision was made according to rules and is free from flaws or illegalities.
They stated that many schools have very few, or even no students and clarified that the government has not "merged" the schools but "paired" them, assuring that no primary schools are closed.
During the hearing, Kudesia requested the court to ban reporting on the case, claiming that the ongoing coverage was "tarnishing the image of government lawyers." However, Justice Bhatia rejected this demand, stating that while the government could frame a law to that effect if it wished, the court would not issue such an order.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
40 minutes ago
- The Hindu
TMC MP Mahua Moitra moves Supreme Court against EC's revision of electoral rolls in Bihar
Trinamool Congress leader and Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra has moved the Supreme Court challenging an order of the Election Commission of India for special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. In her plea, Ms. Moitra said she seeks setting aside of the order dated June 24 under which Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is being conducted in alleged violation of various provisions of the Constitution. "The present writ petition has been filed in public interest under Article 32 of the Constitution seeking setting aside of order dated 24.06.2025 issued by Election Commission of India under which SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar is being conducted in violation of Articles 14, 19(1)(a), 21, 325, 328 of the Constitution and provisions of Representation of People (RP) Act, 1950 and Registration of Electors (RER) Rules, 1960 which, if not set aside, can lead to large-scale disenfranchisement of eligible voters in the country thereby undermining democracy and free and fair elections," it submitted. Ms. Moitra further sought a direction from the apex court to restrain the Election Commission of India from issuing similar orders for SIR of electoral rolls in other states of the country. "It is submitted that it is for the very first time in the country that such an exercise is being conducted by ECI, where electors whose names are already there in electoral rolls and who have already voted multiple times in are being asked to prove their eligibility," the plea filed through advocate Neha Rathi said. The plea said "the impugned SIR order requires the inclusion or retention of a voter's name in the electoral roll upon production of citizenship documents, including proof of citizenship of either or both parents, failing which the voter is at risk of requirement is ultra vires Article 326 and introduces extraneous qualifications not contemplated by the Constitution of the RP Act 1950.' A similar plea has also been filed by NGO Association of Democratic Reforms challenging the poll panel's direction for SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar. The ECI on June 24 issued instructions to carry out an SIR in Bihar, apparently to weed out ineligible names and ensure only eligible citizens are included in the electoral roll. Bihar goes to polls later this year. The NGO has also sought setting aside of the order and communication, arguing that it violates Articles 14, 19, 21, 325, and 326 of the Constitution, as well as provisions of the Representation of People's Act, 1950, and Rule 21A of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. The NGO's plea filed through advocate Prashant Bhushan said the EC order "can arbitrarily and without due process" disenfranchise lakhs of voters and disrupt free and fair elections. "That the documentation requirements of the directive, lack of due process as well as the unreasonably short timeline for the said Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Roll in Bihar further make this exercise bound to result in removal of names of lakhs of genuine voters from electoral rolls leading to their disenfranchisement," the plea said. The last such revision in Bihar was conducted in 2003. According to the EC, the exercise was necessitated by rapid urbanisation, frequent migration, young citizens becoming eligible to vote, non-reporting of deaths, and inclusion of the names of foreign illegal immigrants. It said with the exercise, it wants to ensure the integrity and preparation of error-free electoral rolls. The SIR is being conducted by booth officers, who are conducting a house-to-house survey for verification. The EC said it will scrupulously adhere to the constitutional and legal provisions as laid down in Article 326 of the Constitution and Section 16 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, in carrying out the revision. Several other civil society organisations like PUCL and activists like Yogendra Yadav have approached the top court against the ECI's direction.
NDTV
44 minutes ago
- NDTV
"My Father's Dream Has Come True": Chief Justice BR Gavai Gets Emotional
Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai on Saturday recalled his father's dream of seeing him become a judge, saying that dream has now come true. "I am happy that my father's dream has come true," said an overwhelmed CJI Gavai, holding back tears, as he addressed members of the Advocates Association of Western India (AAWI), which hosted a grand felicitation in his honour. CJI Gavai while speaking about his father, gets emotional. #CJIBRGavai — Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) July 5, 2025 Taking to the stage, CJI Gavai said, "I am today standing before you not just as the Chief Justice of India but also as a member of AAWI. I remember joining the profession in 1983 under Advocate Raja Bhau Bhosale. My colleagues and I would often gather in Rooms 18 and 36, eating lunch together in a group of ten. Those memories remain etched in my heart." CJI Gavai also paid tribute to the legacy of judges who shaped the discourse on social and economic justice in the country. Referring to landmark judgments and contributions of Justices PB Sawant, PN Bhagwati, and former CJI YV Chandrachud, he said, "The pragmatic interpretation of our Constitution about social and economic justice... I would say J Sawant has a great contribution to it, especially his contribution in Indra Sawhney judgment." The event, held as part of AAWI's 161st anniversary celebrations, was marked by cultural performances by advocates and their children. CJI Gavai was felicitated by AAWI President and senior members of the legal community. Government pleaders Neha Bhide (Appellate Side), Poornima Kantharia (Original Side), and Public Prosecutor Hiten Venegavkar also joined in honouring the Chief Justice. A week earlier, at an event hosted by the Nagpur District Court Bar Association, the Chief Justice had offered rare insights into the sacrifices and legacy that shaped his life. He recalled how his father's unfulfilled ambition to become a lawyer had defined his own path. "I wanted to be an architect," he said. "But my father had different dreams. He wanted to be a lawyer but couldn't because of his role in the freedom movement." Choked with emotion, CJI Gavai remembered the struggles of his parents, particularly his father's commitment to Dr BR Ambedkar's ideology. "My father gave himself to the service of Ambedkar. He wanted to be an advocate himself, but couldn't fulfill that wish as he was arrested for being part of the freedom movement." "All responsibility fell on my mother and aunt," he said. "Later, when my name was recommended for the post of a judge in the high court, my father said if you remain a lawyer, you will only go after money, but if you become a judge then you will walk on the path laid down by Ambedkar and do good for society." His father died in 2015 and did not witness his son becoming the 52nd Chief Justice of India. CJI Gavai added, "We lost him in 2015, but I am glad my mother is there."
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
TMC MP Mahua Moitra moves Supreme Court against EC's revision of electoral rolls in Bihar
NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress leader and Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra has moved the Supreme Court challenging an order of the Election Commission of India for special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. In her plea, Moitra said she seeks setting aside of the order dated June 24 under which Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is being conducted in alleged violation of various provisions of the Constitution. "The present writ petition has been filed in public interest under Article 32 of the Constitution seeking setting aside of order dated 24.06.2025 issued by Election Commission of India under which SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar is being conducted in violation of Articles 14, 19(1)(a), 21, 325, 328 of the Constitution and provisions of Representation of People (RP) Act, 1950 and Registration of Electors (RER) Rules, 1960 which, if not set aside, can lead to large-scale disenfranchisement of eligible voters in the country thereby undermining democracy and free and fair elections," it submitted. Moitra further sought a direction from the apex court to restrain the Election Commission of India from issuing similar orders for SIR of electoral rolls in other states of the country. "It is submitted that it is for the very first time in the country that such an exercise is being conducted by ECI, where electors whose names are already there in electoral rolls and who have already voted multiple times in are being asked to prove their eligibility," the plea filed through advocate Neha Rathi said.
