Shana Bano Through Her Father Babloo vs Directorate Of Education & Anr.

C. Hari Shankar, J

The petitioner applied for admission to Class III, under the EWS/Freeship category, to the Directorate of Education (DoE) for the 2023-2024 academic session, as a student belonging to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS). Consequent on a computerized draw of lots held by the DoE, the petitioner’s name was shortlisted for admission to the Respondent 2-school in Class III for the academic session 2023-2024.

As the respondent School allegedly refused to admit the petitioner despite the petitioner approaching the school in that regard, and as the petitioner’s attempts to seek redressal from the statutory authorities also proved futile, the petitioner has approached this Court by means of the writ petition.

The petition seeks issuance of a writ of mandamus to the Respondent School to enrol the petitioner in Class III as an EWS candidate for the academic session 2023-2024.

The academic session 2023-2024 is over. It is not possible for this Court, therefore, to grant the prayers sought in the petition. In so far as admitting the petitioner to an age-appropriate class for the academic session 2024-2025 is concerned, the petitioner would have to stake his claim with all other EWS candidates who seek such admission for that academic session, in accordance with the directives issued by the DoE in that regard.

This writ petition, therefore, stands dismissed, subject to grant of liberty to the petitioner to the above extent.