HIGH COURT OF CALCUTTA
CHITTATOSH MUKHERJEE
SAKTIPADA KARMAKAR - Appellant
Versus
WEST BENGAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATION - Respondent
Civl Rule No. 756(w) of 1971
Decided On : March 15, 1972
WEST BENGAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT - RULES FOR MANAGEMENT OF NON-GOVERNMENT HIGH SCHOOLS - RULES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF RECOGNISED NON-GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS - TERM OF MANAGING COMMITTEE - EXTENSION - SUSPENSION OF HEADMASTER - JURISDICTION OF BOARD - APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATOR - WRIT OF MANDAMUS ISSUED.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner, the Headmaster of Fulkushma High School, challenged the suspension order passed against him by the Managing Committee of the School, whose term had expired. The petitioner also sought a direction to the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (the Board) to appoint an administrator to take charge of the school till the reconstitution of the Managing Committee.
Finding of the Court:
The Court held that the Managing Committee of the School, whose term had expired, was not entitled to function and the resolution passed by them suspending the petitioner was void and ineffectual. The Court also held that the Board had the power to appoint an administrator to take charge of the school till the reconstitution of the Managing Committee.
Issues: 1. Whether the Managing Committee of the School, whose term had expired, was entitled to function and suspend the petitioner? 2. Whether the Board had the power to appoint an administrator to take charge of the school till the reconstitution of the Managing Committee?
Ratio Decidendi: 1. The Court held that the Managing Committee of the School, whose term had expired, was not entitled to function and the resolution passed by them suspending the petitioner was void and ineffectual, as per Rule 10 of the Rules for Management of Non-Government High Schools and Rule 12 of the Rules for the Management of Recognised Non-Government Institutions. 2. The Court held that the Board had the power to appoint an administrator to take charge of the school till the reconstitution of the Managing Committee, as per the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education Act and Rules made thereunder.
Final Decision: The Court quashed the resolution suspending the petitioner and issued a Writ of Mandamus commanding the Board to appoint an administrator within two months to take charge of the school till the reconstitution of the Managing Committee.
( 1 ) THE point for consideration, in this Rule, is whether the respondent Nos. 3 to 12 are entitled to function as the Managing Committee of Fulkushma High School and to suspend the petitioner from the post of Headmaster of the said School.
( 2 ) THE West Bengal Board of Secondary Education accorded recognition to the said school in the year 1958. In the year 1961 the Managing Committee of the School was reconstituted in accordance with the rules of management framed by the West Bengal Secondary Education. In the said election respondent Nos. 3 to 12 were respectively elected as office bearers and members of the Managing Committee. The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education granted approval to the Managing Committee with effect from 16th July, 1961. Thus, the term of the respondent Nos. 3 to 12 as members of the Managing Committee expired on 15th July, 1964. Admittedly the Board did not extend the term of the said Managing Committee.
( 3 ) IN the year 1967 there was a purported election for reconstitution of the Managing Committee of the School. One Sudhanshu Sekhar Saha obtained Civil Rule No. 53 (W) of 1968 challenging the said election. I understand that the said Rule has since succeeded and the election held in 1967 has been quashed.
( 4 ) UNDER Rule 10 of the Rules for Management of Non-Government High Schools including aided schools (published under Notification No. 3765-Edn. (G)/g. 8b-40/59-19th September, 1960) the terms of a Managing Committee by the Board unless the term was extended by the Board for any reason.
( 5 ) SIMILARLY the Rule 12 of the new Rules for the Management of Recognised Non-Government Institutions (Aided and Unaided), rules, 1969 provides, subject to the approval of the Committee by the Board, the term of then Committee shall be three years from the date on which the constitution or reconstitution is completed by the election of the office bearers and nomination by the Director or from the date of expiring of the term of the previous committee whichever is later, provided that such term may be extended by the Board for good and sufficient reasons so, however, that the period of extension shall, in no case, exceed one year.
( 6 ) IN the present case the respondent Nos. 3 to 12 whose term of office has admittedly expired are no longer entitled to function. On 16th May, 1970 the respondent No. 5 as the Secretary of the said school money. The respondent No. 5 also lodged a complaint to the police against the petitioner. On 22nd May, 1970, the petitioner showed cause denying that he had misappropriated any money. On 18th July, 1970 the respondent No. 5 intimated the petitioner that in persuance of a resolution of the Managing Committee of the School passed on 10th July, 1970, the petitioner had been suspended from service with effect from 11th July, 1970. Pending the proceeding of the Criminal case filed against him.
( 7 ) I have already stated that the term of the Managing Committee of the School expired long ago. On 10th July, 1970 the respondent Nos. 3 to 12 were not entitled to function as the Managing Committee of the School. Therefore, the resolution adopted on 10th July, 1970, was void and ineffectual. The respondents are not entitled to give effect to the said resolution suspending the petitioner. For the same reason I hold that the respondent Nos. 3 to 12 are not competent to conduct any disciplinary proceeding against the petitioner. Mr. M. M. Saha, learned Advocate appearing on behalf of some of the members of Managing Committee did not also seriously dispute the position that the respondent Nos. 3 to 12 whose term of office has already expired are no longer entitled to function as the Managing Committee of the School. According to Mr. Saha these respondents have been compelled to continue the management of the affair of the school as it has not been possible to complete the reconstitution of the Managing Committee of the School. According to respondents the pe
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.