Karnataka HC Directs Inspection Of 49 BBMP Run Schools To Check On Infrastructure, Facilities Available To Students

The Karnataka High Court has directed the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority to constitute a team and survey the 49 schools run by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in regards to the availability of infrastructure for the students.

A division bench of Chief Justice N V Anjaria and Justice K V Aravind said “Teams shall examine and take assessment in respect of toilets, adequacy and cleanliness thereof, drinking water facilities, general cleanliness in the premises of the school and other basic amenities needed for a healthy climate in the school for the students.”

It added, “The entire exercise shall be completed within one month from today. The elaborate record shall be prepared in respect of each 49 schools and shall be placed before the court.”

The direction was given while hearing a suo-motu Public Interest Litigation based on media reports highlighting a large number of children dropping out of school and a lack of basic facilities in government schools.

The court has directed the Secretary of the Legal Services Authority to immediately proceed to constitute a team of 3 members of whom one shall be a judicial officer of a rank chosen by the Secretary and two law students who would act as legal volunteers and are studying in any law colleges of the city.

It said “The teams with such a constitution may be constituted to visit the 49 schools without notice to BBMP. The Secretary shall solicit the details of the schools which are to be visited by the team and BBMP is to extend all cooperation.”

The direction was passed after Amicus Curiae, Senior Advocate K N Phanindra submitted the status report filed by BBMP in respect of infrastructure available at these schools seems to be a face saving exercise and it appears that true facts have not been revealed.

He said, “BBMP in its report has said we contacted the legal services authority but they refused to come for the survey and claim that almost everything in the schools is in order which i think....”

The court has now posted the matter for further hearing on June 12.

Case Title: REGISTRAR (JUDICIAL) v. THE CHIEF SECRETARY

Case No: WP 15768/2013