1. In both these Writ Petitions, petitioners seek the issuance of writ of mandamus forbearing the respondents from insisting on the petitioner- School to create an endowment of Rs. 25, 000/- as a pre-condition for the grant of recognition to its Higher Secondary School classes, and pass such further or other orders as this Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of the case.

2. Both these petitioners claim the status of minority institution and they wanted to start Higher Secondary Courses for which the School has got necessary infrastructural facility. The Management sent statements in the prescribed form as required under the Tamil Nadu Recognised Private Schools (Regulation) Act and Rules to the Directorate of School Education for the grant of recognition for Higher Secondary Courses. It was also indicated that the petitioner-School, being a minority institution, is not required to create the Endowment of Rs.25, 000 as stipulated under Rule 9 (2) (c) of the Tamil Nadu Recognised Private Schools (Regulation) Rules. The District Educational Officer returned the statement by proceedings dated 7. 1998 directing the Management to produce records to show that t