HC refuses to stay education dept notice to Rajinikanth school

Chennai

Disposing of a petition by Vandana Tugnait, Principal of Ashram Matriculation Higher Secondary School, challenging the January 16 last notice, Justice M M Sundresh said that instead of approaching the court the school could have put forth its case before the concerned official.

The notice was issued by the Joint Director of School Education Department to the three asking them to appear in person for an inquiry after the school, being run on a leased land in the city, was unable to furnish the lease deed for a period of 30 years for renewal of permission to run it.

The land owner had in 2011 filed a civil suit for eviction after a dispute over rent paid by the school and the matter is pending in a court.

Though Rajinikanth and his wife Latha were also called for their personal appearance, they have not challenged the notice and only the principal filed the petition.

On its part, the school has moved the high court seeking processing of its application for renewal of its approval without insisting on the 30-year lease deed from the land owner and this is also pending.

Refusing to grant stay as sought by the petitioner, the Judge said "there is no material available before this court to hold that there is lack of jurisdiction of the Joint Director. The school can very well put forth its case before the joint director instead of approaching this court."