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Justice Nirzar Desai’s court questioned whether any parent would willingly admit their child to Seventh Day Adventist School, given the state’s concerns about its administration.
The school contested the administrative action, which was reviewed by the court.(Representative/File Photo)
The Gujarat High Court on Friday questioned a private school regarding administrative and security failures following the fatal stabbing of a Class 10 student by a peer on August 19 last year, which led the state government to take over its management.
Justice Nirzar Desai’s court questioned whether any parent would willingly admit their child to Seventh Day Adventist School, given the state’s concerns about its administration.
The District Education Officer (DEO) assumed control of the school management after the widespread outrage over the stabbing incident. The school contested the administrative action, which was reviewed by the court.
The state government opposed any immediate relief to the school management against the DEO taking charge. Government pleader GH Virk argued that since mid-December, the institution had been uncooperative and had not provided any documents requested by the authorities despite repeated requests.
The state also accused the school of collecting fees in cash and failing to produce financial accounts demanded for over a month. As a precautionary measure, the state informed the court that new admissions had been halted to protect student safety.
The court dismissed the argument that merely asserting cooperation equated to actual compliance, noting that compensation could never undo the loss of a child or mend the shattered dreams of grieving parents.
Criticising the school’s approach of treating education as a money-making venture, the court remarked that basic morality should have compelled the management to step aside once its inability to ensure safety became clear.
An association of parents, including those of the deceased student, opposing the school’s actions, has sought to be included as parties to the proceedings. The High Court has scheduled the matter for further hearing on February 10.
January 24, 2026, 14:32 IST
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