GHMC Told To De-seal DAV School

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 Public School in Safilguda, which was sealed by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) on Thursday.

The GHMC had sealed the office of the principal citing the non-clearance of arrears of property tax.

Justice L Narasimha Reddy lashed out at the GHMC officials for sealing the school during the time of examinations. He also said that the corporation was targeting a school when it could not even maintain the city's roads well. Justice Narasimha Reddy also demanded the presence of the commissioner of GHMC, and the senior staff involved in this incident, in the court on Monday.

Earlier, the management of the DAV Public school had filed a writ petition in the High Court seeking an order de-sealing the premises.

The management also stated that when they objected to the sealing of the school, a police case was registered against them.

The school management pointed out that the tax was enhanced by more than 10 times, and said that the students were suffering due to the GHMC's action.

Taking note of their plea, Justice Narasimha Reddy said that the main gate should be opened before 12pm on March 18th. He directed the Registrar of the Court to communicate this to the GHMC. Justice Reddy also ordered that the GHMC Commissioner be present before in the court on Monday.

The counsel for the GHMC had tried to impress upon 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 the GHMC officials that they would face dire consequences if they "continued to act like dictators". He said that the DAV institutions had withstood the British onslaught, and that they were not fly-by-night operators.

The case will be listed on Monday for the corporation officers to explain why the seal was put on the institution when the examinations were in progress.

Courtesy: INN