The Bombay High Court restored the admission of a student under the 25% quota of the Right to Education (RTE) Act after verifying that the cancellation of admission was based on an erroneous address verification report. The Court directed the respondents to issue the allotment letter forthwith for the academic year 2026-2027.
Background & Facts
The Dispute
The petitioner, a student, was granted admission under the 25% quota provided under the RTE Act for the academic year 2026-2027 at the Tamoae Primary English School, Kathora Bk. However, the respondents subsequently cancelled the petitioner's admission on the ground that an inquiry revealed that the petitioner was not residing at the address mentioned in the application submitted for admission.
Key Facts
The petitioner was granted admission under the 25% quota of the RTE Act for the academic year 2026-2027 at the Tamoae Primary English School, Kathora Bk.
The admission was cancelled by the respondents on the ground that the petitioner was not residing at the address mentioned in the application.
The Block Education Officer, Panchayat Samiti, Amravati, issued a communication on 07/07/2026 pointing out that there was a mistake in the verification conducted by the Squad, which went to a different address for verifying the petitioner's residence.
The Block Education Officer, Amravati, verified the address of the petitioner and found it to be true and correct.
The petitioner's counsel requested the Court to direct the respondents to verify the address afresh.
Procedural History
14/07/2026: The respondents' counsel submitted a pursis placing on record the communication dated 14/07/2026 issued by the Block Education Officer, Panchayat Samiti, Amravati, and the report dated 14/07/2026, which substantiated the petitioner's contention that he was residing at the address mentioned in the application.
14/07/2026: The Education Officer (Primary) Zilla Parishad, Amravati, wrote a communication to the Director of Education (Primary), Maharashtra State, Pune, to do the needful for granting admission to the petitioner.
16/07/2026: The matter was listed before the Court, and the respondents' counsel tendered the pursis and submissions.
Relief Sought
The petitioner sought a direction to the respondents to forthwith issue the allotment letter in respect of the petitioner's admission under the 25% quota of the RTE Act for the academic year 2026-2027 at the Tamoae Primary English School, Kathora Bk.
The Legal Issue
The central question was whether the cancellation of the petitioner's admission under the RTE Act was valid when it was based on an erroneous address verification report.
Arguments Presented
For the Petitioner
The petitioner's counsel argued that the cancellation of admission was based on a verification error and that the petitioner's address was correctly verified by the Block Education Officer, Amravati, on 14/07/2026.
For the Respondent
The respondents' counsel initially contended that the admission was cancelled due to the petitioner not residing at the address mentioned in the application. However, upon verification, the respondents accepted that the cancellation was erroneous and agreed to restore the admission.
The Court's Analysis
The Court noted that the respondents had cancelled the petitioner's admission based on an erroneous verification report. The Court observed that the Block Education Officer, Amravati, had verified the petitioner's address and found it to be true and correct. The Court also noted that the respondents' counsel had tendered a pursis on 16/07/2026, placing on record the verification report and communication dated 14/07/2026, which substantiated the petitioner's contention.
"In view of the aforesaid inspection report and statement made by respondent No. 5 Education (Primary) Officer, Zilla Parishad, Amravati, Ms Marpakwar, the learned AGP, who appears for respondent No.3 Director of Primary Education, Pune, submits that respondent No. 3 shall do the needful to ensure that the petitioner get admission in the respondent No. 6 School."
The Verdict
The Court disposed of the writ petition, directing the respondents to issue the allotment letter forthwith for the petitioner's admission under the 25% quota of the RTE Act for the academic year 2026-2027 at the Tamoae Primary English School, Kathora Bk. The respondents were directed to ensure that the petitioner's admission is granted within the stipulated timeframe.
What This Means For Similar Cases
Verification Errors Must Be Rectified Promptly
Educational authorities must ensure that address verifications are conducted accurately and promptly.
Any cancellation based on erroneous verification must be rectified without delay to uphold the rights of students under the RTE Act.
Procedural Compliance Is Non-Negotiable
The Court's intervention highlights the importance of adhering to procedural requirements in admission processes.
Authorities must follow due process to avoid arbitrary cancellations that infringe upon students' rights.
