* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

Reserved on:13.11.2025

Pronounced on: 22.12.2025

+ W.P.(C) 4770/2021 & CM APPL. 14712/2021, CM APPL.

25993/2022

MRS. SONIA BABLANI & ORS. .....Petitioners

Through: Mr. Rajeev Awasthi, Adv.

versus

GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS. .....Respondents

Through: Mrs. Avnish Ahlawat, SC for

GNCTD Services with Mr.Nitesh Kumar Singh, Ms.Aliza Alam and

Mr.Mohnish Sehrawat, Advs.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE NAVIN CHAWLA

HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE MADHU JAIN

J U D G M E N T

MADHU JAIN, J.

1. This petition has been filed, challenging the Order dated 02.02.2021 passed by the learned Central Administrative Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Tribunal’) in T.A. 10/2016, titled Sonia Bablani & Ors v. Govt. of NCT of Delhi & Ors. (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Impugned Order’), declining the

prayers of the petitioners herein.

FACTS OF THE CASE

2. Respondent No.1 is the Government of NCT of Delhi, and Respondent No.2 is the Directorate of Education, which is directly running Respondent No.5, namely, the Government Co-Ed Sarvodaya

Vidyalaya, Senior Secondary School. Respondent No.4 is responsible for compiling the service particulars of the Petitioners and, after due collection and verification, forwarding the same for regulating their service benefits and entitlements.

3. In the year 1977, the Central Government allotted 2.87 acres of prime land to the Children Education Trust of India for the purpose of running a primary school, at a nominal rate of ₹1 per sq. metre. The Trust established the Central Academy School (hereinafter referred to as ‘the School’), which came to be managed exclusively by Shri S.N. Chaturvedi, who functioned in multiple capacities, including Principal, Trustee, Manager and Administrator.

4. From inception, the School was managed in flagrant violation of the statutory provisions governing recognized schools, and the administration effectively remained under the sole control of Shri S.N.

Chaturvedi and his family members.

5. The petitioners were appointed from time to time against permanent teaching/non-teaching posts, in accordance with the provisions of the Delhi School Education Act, 1973 (hereinafter referred to as the “Act”) and Delhi School Education Rules, 1973 (hereinafter referred to as the “Rules”) and upon undergoing a regular selection process based on merit and requisite qualifications.

6. In 1994, the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA), being aggrieved by large-scale mismanagement and illegalities committed by the said Manager/Principal/Trustee, submitted representations to the Lt. Governor of Delhi seeking an inquiry under the Act and the Rules. Pursuant to the said representation, an inquiry was ordered, which revealed extensive irregularities including diversion of funds and exploitation of staff. Consequently, the Lt. Governor, in exercise of powers under Section 20(1) of the Act, directed the taking over of the school on 03.07.1996.

7. Shri S.N. Chaturvedi challenged the said takeover by filing W.P.(C) No. 2572/1996. The High Court, vide judgment dated 14.02.1997, dismissed the writ petition with costs and directed the Government to continue running the school. His further challenge before the Supreme Court, in SLP (C) No. 7439/1997, was dismissed on 11.04.1997.

8. Thereafter, the PTA filed Public Interest Petition No. 604/1998, seeking directions to formally run the School as a Government School and to cancel the land lease granted in favor of the Children Education Trust of India. Various directions were issued during the proceedings, including eviction of Shri S.N. Chaturvedi from the School premises.

9. During the said proceedings, the Ministry of Urban Development confirmed about the multiple lease violations, and the Respondent No.2 filed an affidavit before the Division Bench of this Court, stating that it had no objection in running the School as a Government School if the land was transferred to the Directorate of Education.

10. On 29.07.2000, the Ministry