Gujarat High Court Suggests Ahmedabad School To Consider 10% Admissions On 'Minimal Basis' In Memory Of Child Stabbed By Fellow Student

The Gujarat High Court on Wednesday (September 17) orally suggested to a private school in a Ahmedabad whose student was reportedly stabbed by another student last month, to consider giving admission to 10% students on a 'minimal basis' in the memory of the deceased student. 

Justice Nikhil Kariel was hearing two pleas moved by the school— one challenged the show cause notice asking why the school's NOC should not be cancelled; second challenged the District Education Officer (DEO) inquiry into the incident under the Bombay Primary Education Act, 1947, the RTE Act, 2009, the Gujarat RTE Rules, 2012, the School Safety Policy and the Indian School Certification Examination Affiliation Rules etc.

During the hearing the court orally told the school's counsel,

"...admit 10% students on minimal basis...but in the memory of the child...If you are announcing that 10% of your students would be on your own...in memory of the late child...it would go a long way". 

The counsel responded that the "suggestion will be taken with the highest sensitivity and it would be placed before the management," while adding that school has already announced scholarship in memory of the child. 

On September 09, the high court had disposed of the two pleas while directing the School management to co-operate with the inquiry contemplated by DEO, Ahmedabad. It had clarified that any punitive steps, including but not limited to revocation of NOC, would be contemplated only after giving adequate opportunity to the petitioner-school.

On Wednesday, the senior counsel for the school submitted that the management had complied with the court's directions with regard to the inquiry and "Every information which DEO wanted has been given." He however sought re-opening of the school, ahead of the upcoming half yearly exams.

The State's counsel informed the Court that the school and DEO are meeting to discuss the issue. "We are communicating with school to see that necessary CCTVs are installed before reopening...Unfortunately the DEO has not been receiving cooperation from school. He has written three letters requiring cooperation, information and preventive steps when school reopens...Only yesterday for the first time, we got a truncated response" he said. 

Thereafter, the school's counsel said that the school will co-operate with the DEO.

The Court also suggested that the bereaved parents are made a part of the decision making process. "No parent should be faced with such a situation. What we are trying to ensure that the fate of 10,000 other students should not hang...the real culprit has been apprehended the law will take its own course," Court said.

It also told the bereaved parents, "but at the same time an unfortunate incident should not mean everything should come to a stand still...surely you will be a part of the committee for any constructive suggestions from your side. As as far as any lucana at the end of the school is concerned the state is looking into it."

It further asked the State's counsel if any civil society persons from that area can also be involved to which the counsel said that the exercise is ongoing.

The matter is next listed on September 24.

Case title: SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL v/s STATE OF GUJARAT & ANR.

R/SCA NO. 12449 of 2025 and R/SCA NO. 12460 of 2025

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