Gauhati HC Grants 3-Week Extension for Reply-Affidavit in Teachers' Writ Petition - 2025-06-27

Tracking Legal Developments.

Gauhati High Court Adjourns Hearing in Major Education Dept. Case, Grants Petitioners Time to Respond

ITANAGAR , ARUNACHAL PRADESH – The Itanagar Bench of the Gauhati High Court has granted a three-week extension to 188 petitioners in a significant writ petition filed against the Arunachal Pradesh government's education department. The order allows the petitioners additional time to file a reply to the affidavit submitted by the state respondents.

The procedural development came during a hearing before the Hon’ble Mr. Justice Kardak Ete .

Case Background

The case, titled George Darang and 187 Ors. vs The State of AP and 11 Others [WP(C)/638/2023], involves a large group of individuals who have collectively approached the court with a grievance against the state's education authorities. The respondents include top officials such as the Commissioner (Education), the Director of Elementary Education, and Deputy Directors of School Education across several districts, including East Siang , Anjaw, and Changlang.

While the specific details of the petitioners' grievances are not outlined in the current order, the nature of a writ petition and the array of respondents from the education department suggest the matter likely pertains to employment, such as recruitment processes, appointments, or service conditions.

Arguments and Court's Direction

During the proceedings on June 27, 2025, Mr. M. Kato , the learned counsel representing the 188 petitioners, formally requested additional time from the court. The counsel sought the extension to prepare and file a comprehensive affidavit-in-reply, which is a formal written response to the facts and claims presented in the affidavit previously filed by the state government.

The state, represented by its Standing Counsel for the Education Department, did not oppose the request.

Accepting the petitioners' plea, Justice Kardak Ete issued the following order:

"On the prayer of Mr. M. Kato , learned counsel for the petitioners, further 3 (three) weeks’ time is granted to file affidavit-in-reply to the affidavit filed by the respondents."

Implications of the Order

This order is a standard procedural step that ensures both parties have a fair opportunity to present their case. By allowing the petitioners to file a detailed reply, the court is upholding the principles of natural justice, ensuring that their counter-arguments to the state's position are formally placed on record.

The case is now scheduled to be listed for its next hearing after the three-week period concludes. The forthcoming reply-affidavit from the petitioners will be crucial in shaping the subsequent stages of the legal proceedings and clarifying the core issues in dispute.