Patna High Court
Pt. Ujjwal Kumar Mishra, Senior ... vs The Bihar School Examination Board, ... on 30 July, 2019
Author: Anil Kumar Upadhyay
Bench: Anil Kumar Upadhyay
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.15217 of 2018
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Pt. Ujjwal Kumar Mishra, Senior Secondary School, Hajipur, Vaishali through
its Principal Umesh Mishra, son of Late Vedanand Mishra, Resident of
Village Gaddopur, P.S. Mahua, District Vaishali presenting residing at
Mohalla Dhanauti Marai, P.S. Hajipur, District Vaishali.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The Bihar School Examination Board, Patna through its Chairman
2. The Chairman, Bihar School Examination Board, Patna through its
Chairman.
3. The Secretary, Bihar School Examination Board, Patna.
4. The Director, Educational, Bihar School Examination Board, Patna.
5. The Examination Controller Secondary, Bihar School Examination Board,
Patna.
... ... Respondent/s
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Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Abhinav Srivastava, Advocate
Mr. Mahendra Thakur, Advocate
For the BSEB : Mr.Satyabir Bharti,Advocate
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CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL KUMAR UPADHYAY
ORAL JUDGMENT
Date : 30-07-2019
Heard learned counsel appearing on behalf of the
petitioner and learned counsel appearing on behalf of the Bihar
School Examination Board (hereinafter referred to as 'the Board').
2. The petitioner-institution is aggrieved by Memo No.
2721 dated 16.04.2018 issued by the Director (Academy), Bihar
School Examination Board, respondent No. 4, whereunder the
school code of the petitioner-institution has been suspended.
3. The petitioner had approached this Court earlier in
CWJC No. 7943 of 2017 against the decision of the Board when
the Board, after allowing the students to appear in 2017
Patna High Court CWJC No.15217 of 2018 dt.30-07-2019
2/20
Matriculation Examination, took a decision against the petitioner-
institution on the premise that the candidates, who were allowed to
appear from the institution were over age. The action of the Board
was based on some kind of enquiry by the District Education
Officer, Vaishali and the Sub-Divisional Officer, Mahnar. The
relevant part of the discussions of this Court in the judgment dated
11.7.2017passed in CWJC No. 7943 of 2017 is quoted below:-
"9. The Board has brought on record a report submitted by the Sub-Divisional Officer, Mahnar, dated 03.03.2017, based on an enquiry conducted by a team consisting of:-
(i) Sub-Divisional Officer, Mahnar
(ii) Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Mahnar
(iii) Land Reforms Deputy Collector, Mahnar
(iv) Block Education Officer, Mahnar.
10. The said report has been prepared on the basis of a random check done by the said Committee, where 40 examinees out of 400 of Kendriya Rajeshwari Ucha Vidalaya, Hazipur and 368 examinees from petitioner- school, taken together, were questioned. Those 40 students, as would appear from the said report, dated 03.03.2017, could not disclose correctly the names of the Schools and the Principals. They disclosed their age to be 20 years, 24 years, 28 years and 30 years. They were residents of Patna, Saran and Hazipur and they appeared not to be the regular students of the Schools.
11. The District Magistrate, Vaishali, thereafter, asked the District Education Officer, Vaishali to enquire into the Patna High Court CWJC No.15217 of 2018 dt.30-07-2019 3/20 matter in the light of report submitted by the four-man Committee. The District Education Officer, Vaishali, constituted a three member enquiry committee and submitted its report to the Board on 27.04.2017, which has been brought on record by way of Annexure-D to the counter affidavit. He too, reported the same as was reported by the Sub-Divisional Officer, Mahnar. It has been mentioned in the report, dated 27.04.2017 that the examinees appeared to be 'between 25 to 30 years of age'. In addition, the District Education Officer, Vaishali reported that 440 students were admitted in Class VIII on the basis of declaration and no student was admitted on the basis of transfer certificate.
12. The report submitted by the Sub-Divisional Officer, Mahnar and the District Education Officer, Mahnar are the two materials which are the basis for impugned action of the Board.
13. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner has submitted that there is no illegality in taking admission as regular students in Class VIII on the basis of declaration. He has submitted that there is no statutory provision or guideline or instructions issued by the Board or any competent authority, requiring the Schools to take admission only on the basis of transfer certificates. It is his contention that the materials relied on by the Board could not have formed the basis for a declaration that all the students who had appeared for 2017 matriculation examination from the petitioner's school were over-aged and their admissions were illegal, the same being based on declaration made by them.
Patna High Court CWJC No.15217 of 2018 dt.30-07-2019 4/20
14. Mr. Lalit Kishore, learned Senior counsel appearing on behalf of the Board, justifying the action of the Board, has submitted that the irregularity and illegality in admitting the students by the petitioner's school and allowing them to fill up forms for matriculation examination being writ large, no in-depth enquiry was required as that would have been a mere formality. He contends that since the students, who had appeared for the examination in their appearance seemed much more in age than they had declared, the Board rightly cancelled their registrations and decided to withhold their results. He has submitted that what is obvious needs no proof.
15. I am unable to accept the submissions made on behalf of the Board. It is apparent from the reports submitted by the Sub-Divisional Officer, Mahnar and the District Education Officer, Mahnar that no exercise, worth enquiry was conducted. The opinion of the said Committee is apparently based on what the members could perceive on seeing some of the examinees. Further, nothing has been shown to this Court that admission of students on the basis of their self declaration in Class VIII as regular students was per se illegal. Further, without reaching a definite conclusion that the students of the School had fudged their age at the time of admission, their registrations could not have been cancelled and results withheld. In no event, the Board could have taken such decision without giving the students an opportunity to explain.
16. The impugned action of the Board of cancelling the registration of the students of the petitioner's school as Patna High Court CWJC No.15217 of 2018 dt.30-07-2019 5/20 regular students and withholding of their results of 2017 matriculation examination are unsustainable, being illegal, arbitrary and in violation of principles of natural justice. No instrumentality of the State within the meaning of Article 12 of the Constitution of India has the authority to act arbitrarily in breach of law and principles of natural justice. For this reasoning, the action of the Board is unauthorized also.
17. I declare accordingly and set aside the impugned orders and decisions of the Board in this regard."
4. After setting aside the impugned order and the decision of the Board, the Court directed the Chairman of the Board to take a fresh decision on the question of cancellation of registration of the students and withholding their result of matriculation examination, 2017. The Court also directed for determination of age of the candidates, whose candidature was doubted by the Board being over aged. Paragraph Nos. 19 to 23 of the aforesaid judgment is specific direction how the Board is to proceed in the matter of alleged over age students. Prars 19 to 23 are quoted below:-
"19. I also direct that for the purpose of determining the dispute/controversy as to whether all or some of the students of the School had fudged their age, a Medical Board shall be constituted for examining the students of the School, who were examinees of 2017 matriculation Patna High Court CWJC No.15217 of 2018 dt.30-07-2019 6/20 examination. Such Medical Board shall be constituted by the District Magistrate, Vaishali on a request made by the Chairman of the Board. The Board for the said purpose shall issue a public notice fixing date and venue for the said enquiry by the Medical Board in coordination with the District Magistrate, Vaishali when and where the examinees of the School shall be required to present themselves.
20. The Medical Board shall give its opinion on the question of respective age of the examinees. If it is found by the Board that there is substantial difference ( of two years or more) between the minimum possible age determined by the Medical Board and the age declared by such students and recorded in the school register, the Board after giving such students an opportunity of hearing by seeking explanation, shall take a final decision.
21. The students/examinees, who fail to present themselves before the Medical Board in pursuance of public notice to be issued by the Board in the light of the present order shall be treated to be having no case on the point of their age and in that case the Bihar School Examination Board shall be free to take decision in accordance with law.
22. If the Board is of the view that action of the petitioner's school in taking admission of the students on the basis of their self declaration, without transfer certificates in Class VIII was in breach of any statutory provision, guideline or instructions framed or issued by any competent authority, the Board shall be free to take decision but after giving the petitioner's school an opportunity to explain by way of notice and by passing a reasoned order.
Patna High Court CWJC No.15217 of 2018 dt.30-07-2019 7/20
23. It is made clear that the Board shall be at liberty to initiate criminal action against any person, including functionaries of the petitioner-school, who are found to have committed any offence, in this process."
5. Mr. Abhinav Srivastava, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that notwithstanding the specific direction issued by this Court to refer the matter of age determination to the Medical Board, no step was taken by the Board for referring the students, who were alleged to be over age, to the Medical Board and allowing them to appear from the school in question. After the order of this Court, the Director (Academy) issued letter dated 16.4.2018. The letter dated 16.4.2018 intimating the decision of the Board, impugned in this writ petition, is quoted below for ready reference:-
"i=kad& fo0LFkk0& 2721@18 fcgkj fo|ky; ijh{kk lfefr ¼m0ek0½ cq) ekxZ] iVuk isz'kd] funs"kd "kSf{k.kd fcgkj fo|ky; ijh{kk lfefr] iVukA lsok esa] izkpk;Z&lg&lfpo] iafMr mTtoy dqekj feJk mPp ek/;fed fo|ky; /kukSrh] gkthiqj] fo'k;%& CWJC NO.- 2845/2018 with MJC No. 216/2018 in CWJC NO. 7943/2017 with MJC No. 3574/2017 in CWJC NO-7943/2017 esa ekuuh; mPp U;k;ky;] iVuk }kjk fnukad & 13-03-18 dks ikfjr U;k;kns"k Patna High Court CWJC No.15217 of 2018 dt.30-07-2019 8/20 ds vkyksd esa fo|ky; dh lEc)rk dks fuyafcr djrs gq, Li'Vhdj.k iwNus ds laca/k esaA egk"k;] mi;qZDr fo'k;d laca/k ea lwfpr djuk gS fd ekuuh; mPp Uk;ky;] iVuk }kjk CWJC NO-7943/2017 esa fnukad& 13-03- 2018 dks ikfjr U;k;kns"k esa "It is made clear that the Bihar School Examination Board shall be at liberty to proceed for cancellation of affiliation of the School in question if, in the opinion of the Bihar School Examination Board, such situation exists, but strictly in accordance with the provisions under the Bihar School Examination Board Act and the Rules/Regulations framed there under. "
ia0 mTtoy dqekj feJk m0 ek0 fo|ky;] /kukSrh] oS"kkyh dks lfefr ds i=kad&LFkk0izs0&1348] fnuakd &17-04-13 ds }kjk l"kÙkZ la;qDr lEc)rk ,oa lfefr ds i=kad & fo0LFkk0&198] fnuakd &16-10-14 ds }kjk ek/;fed fo|ky; dk dksM&53708 vkoaVu fd;k x;k gSA ok0 ek0 ijh{kk 2017 ds njE;ku ijh{kk dsUnz&5343 ¼ts0 vkj0 lh0 egkfo|ky; u;kxk¡o] egukj½ ftl dsUnz ij vkids fo|ky; ds cPps Hkh lEefyr gks jgs Fks] dk ftyk inkf/kdkjh oS"kkyh }kjk vkSpd fujh{k.k fd;k x;k ,oa ik;k x;k fd ijh{kk dsUnz ij vf/kd mez ds ijh{kkFkhZ lEefyr gks jgs gSA ftyk inkf/kdkjh }kjk bldh lE;d tk¡p pkj lnL;h; tk¡p ny xfBr dj djkbZ xbZ A ftyk inkf/kdkjh ds i=kad 552@xksih; fnukad 02-03-2017 ds }kjk izfrosfnr fd;k x;k fd vkids fo|ky; ds }kjk ek/;fed ijh{kk 2017 esa vfu;fer :i ls vf/kd mez ds Nk= dks lfEefyr fd;k x;k gSA ftyk f"k{kk inkf/kdkjh ds Lrj ls xfBr f=lnL;h; lfefr ds tk¡p izfrosnu esa Hkh ;g Li'B :i ls vafdr fd;k x;k gS fd vkids fo|ky; ls vf/kd mez ds cPpksa dk QthZ rjhds ls ?kks'k.k i= ds vk/kkj ij ukekadu djrs gq, okf'kZd fo|ky; ek/;fed ijh{kk 2017 esa lEefyr djk;k x;k gSa miyC/k djk;s x, tk¡p izfrosnuksa ls vkids fo|ky; ds }kjk Nk=ksa ds ukekad.k ,oa okf'kZd ijh{kk esa lEefyr djkus ls lacaf/kr fuEu vkjksi izekf.kr gksrs gSA& 1- vf/kd mez okys Nk= dks de mez djds voS/k rjhds ls ?
kks'k.kk i= ds vk/kkj ij fu;fer Nk= ds :i esa fo|ky; esa ukekadu djrs gq, okf'kZd ek/;fed ijh{kk 2017 ea lfEefyr djk;k x;k gSA Patna High Court CWJC No.15217 of 2018 dt.30-07-2019 9/20 2- lHkh ijh{kkfFkZ;ksa dk tUe frfFk o'kZ 2000 ls 2002 ds chp vafdr gS] ijUrq ijh{kkfFkZ;ksa dks ns[kus ls gh mudh mez yxHkx 25&30 o'kZ gSA 3- fo|ky; ds lHkh Nk=ksa dk ukekadu ?kks'k.k&i= ds vk/kkj ij fd;k gSA ,d Hkh Nk= dk ukekadu LFkkukarj.k izek.k&i= ¼Vh0lh0½ ds vk/kkj ij ugha gSA 4- fo|ky; }kjk Lora=d Nkrksa dks ?kks'k.k&i= ij ukekadu ysdj fu;fer Nk= cuk;k x;k gSA 5- fo|ky; fu;fer :i ls lapkfyr ugha gksrk gSA vkSj u Nk= fu;fer :i ls fo+|ky; vkrs gS] fo|ky; ds +}kjk ek= iath;u ,oa QkeZ Hkjokus dk dk;Z fd;k tkrk gSA 6- ijh{kkFkhZ;ksa dks fo|ky; dk iwjk uke] irk rFkk iz/kkuk/;kid ds uke dh Hkh tkudkjh ugha FkhA bl izdkj li'V gS fd vkidk fo|ky; fu;fer :i ls lapkfyr ugha gksrk gSA fo|ky; ds }kjk Nk=ksa dk vfu;fer :i ls ek= ijh{kk ds fy, QkeZ Hkjokus dk dk;Z fd;k tkrk gS] tks foHkkx ,oa lfefr ds fu;eksa ,oa izko/kkuksa dk mYya?ku gSA vr% fcgkj fo|ky; ijh{kk lfefr lEc)rk fofu;ekoyh 2011 ;Fkk v|ru la"kksf/kr v/;k;k&IV ds dafaMdk 15 ds mi&dafmdk 3 ¼IX½ ds varxZr rRdky vkids fo|ky; dh lEc)rk dks fuyafcr fd;k tkrk gSA i= izkfIr ds ,d lIrkg ds vUnj bl laca/k esa vki viuk Li'Vhdj.k nsuk lqfuf"pr djsa fd D;ksa ugha vkids fo|ky; dks nh xbZ lEc)rk LFkk;h :i ls lekIr dj nh tk;A fu/kkZfjr vof/k esa tokc izkIr ugha gksus dh fLFkfr esa lfefr }kjk ,di{kh; fu.kZ; fy;k tk,xkA fo"oklHkktu g0@& funs"kd "kS{kf.kd fcgkj fo|ky; ijh{kk lfefr] iVuk"
6. Mr. Abhinav Srivastava, during the course of argument, submitted that the entire exercise of the Board is totally without jurisdiction and it is nullity being a decision in teeth of the direction issued by the Writ Court in CWJC No. 7943 of 2017, inasmuch as the Board has not referred the case of any candidate before the Medical Board to establish the allegation against the Patna High Court CWJC No.15217 of 2018 dt.30-07-2019 10/20 institution that the institution admitted and allowed the over aged students.
7. Mr. Satyabir Bharti, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the Examination Board submitted a fact-sheet to highlight the events of this case. The fact-sheet of the Examination Board is quoted below:-
"THE SEQUENTIAL LIST OF EVENTS IN CWJC NO. 15217/2018 (Pt. Ujjawal Kumar Mishra V.Bihar School Examination Board)
---------------------
Date (s) Fact-sheet
1. 17.03.2013 Petitioner's institution issued affiliation
letter from Board's office.
2. 21.04.2017 Fraudulent & illegal act of the institution
was detected & reported by District Magistrate, Vaishali alleging that over aged students i.e. aged between 25-30 years, showing them to be born after 2000-2001, has been allowed to appear in the matriculation exam.
3. 27.04.2017 Enquiry Committee reported that all students are shown to have admitted without transfer certificate, on the basis of self-declaration. Thus, students allowed to appear are not bonafide students.
4. 11.07.2017 The Hon'ble High Court was pleased to pass an order in CWJCNo. 7343/2017, holding that decision to declare students being over-aged, on the assessment of the Committee cannot be sustained.
Liberty granted to the Board to proceed against the institution, if the impugned act of the institution Patna High Court CWJC No.15217 of 2018 dt.30-07-2019 11/20 is in breach of statutory provision. (Civil Review No. 135/2018, arising out of the order is pending)
5. 05.01.2018 Petitioner was directed to submit a show-cause directing to submit explanation as to why affiliation be not cancelled. In the meantime, the affiliation was suspended.
6. 15.02.2018 Impugned order recalled.
7. 13.03.2018 CWJC No. 2845/2018 disposed, while granting liberty to the Board to proceed with cancellation, if situation exists.
8. 16.04.2018 Show cause cum suspension order.
9. 13.12.2018 Affiliation cancelled."
8. Mr. Satyavir Bharti, learned counsel for the Board has submitted that in the decision making process the Board has examined the case of the petitioner-institution and held out that the petitioner-institute has committed mischief in allowing the over aged students from the institution. His first limb of argument is that the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 and the Rules, 2011 framed thereunder are binding on the Board and the action of the Board in passing the order contained in Annexure-5 is in tune with the Bihar Education Code, the Right of Children to free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 as well as the Rule 2011 framed thereunder. On the query of the Court Mr. Bharti admitted that the Board has not framed any Regulation regulating admission or prescribing any mode of admission in any Patna High Court CWJC No.15217 of 2018 dt.30-07-2019 12/20 institution affiliated to the Board. Mr. Bharti also admitted the fact that Rules framed under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act has not been adopted by the Board but he submitted that the Act and the Rules framed thereunder are binding in the decision making process. In particular, Mr. Bharti has placed reliance on Sections 5,14 and 18 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act'). For ready reference, Sections 5,14 and 18 are quoted below:-
"5- vU; fo|ky; esa LFkkukarj.k dk vf/kdkj&¼1½ tgka fdlh fo|ky; esa] izkjafHkd f"k{kk iwjh djus dh O;oLFkk ugaha gS ogka fdlh ckyd dks fdlh vU; fo|ky; esa] /kkjk 2 ds [kaM ¼<½ ds mi[kaM ¼iii½ vkSj ¼iv½ esa fofufnZ'V fo|kky; dks vioftZr djrs gq, viuh izkjafHkd f"k{kk iwjh djus ds fy, LFkkukarj.k djkus dk vf/kdkj gksxkA ¼2½ tgka fdlh ckyd ls fdlh jkT; ds Hkhrj ;k ckgj fdlh Hkh dkj.k ls ,d fo|ky; ls nwljs fo|ky; esa tkus dh vis{kk dh tkrh gS] ogka ,sls ckyd dks fdlh vU; fo|ky; esa] /kkjk 2 ds [kaM ¼<½ ds mi[kaM ¼iii½ vkSj ¼iv½ esa fofufnZ'V fo|ky; dks vioftZr djrs gq, viuh izjafHkd f"k{kk iwjh djus ds fy, LFkkukarj.k djkus dk vf/kdkj gksxkA ¼3½ ,sls vU; fo|ky; esa izos"k ysus ds fy, iz/kku v/;kid ;k fo|ky; dk Hkjlk/kd] tgka ,sls ckyd dks vafre ckj izos"k fn;k x;k Fkk] rqjar LFkkukarj.k izek.ki= tkjh djsxk% ijarq LFkkukarj.k izek.ki= izLrqr djus esa foyac] ,sls vU; fo|ky; eas izos"k ds fy, foyac ;k izos"k ls badkj djus ds fy, vk/kkj ugha gksxk% Patna High Court CWJC No.15217 of 2018 dt.30-07-2019 13/20 ijarq ;g vkSj fd fo|ky; dk iz/kku v/;kid ;k Hkjlk/kd] LFkkukarj.k izek.ki= tkjh djus esa foyac ds fy, mldks ykxw lsok fu;eksa ds v/khu vuq"kklfud dkjZokbZ ds fy, nk;h gksxkA 14- izos"k ds fy, vk;q dk lcwr-&¼1½ izkFkfed f"k{kk esa izos"k ds iz;kstuksa ds fy, fdlh ckyd dh vk;q dks] tUe] e`R;q vkSj fookg jftLVªdj.k vf/kfu;e] 1886 ¼1886 dk 6½ ds mic/kksa ds vuqlkj tkjh fd, x, tUe izek.ki= ds vk/kkj ij ;k ,sls nLrkost ds vk/kkj ij] tks fofgr fd;k tk,] vo/kkfjr fd;k tk,xkA ¼2½ fdlh ckyd dks] vk;q ds lcwr ds u gksus ij fdlh fo|ky; esa izos"k ls badkj ugah fd;k tk,xkA 18- ekU;rk izek.ki= vfHkizkIr fd, fcuk fdlh fo|ky; dk LFkkfir u fd;k tkuk&¼1½ leqfpr ljdkj ;k LFkkuh; izkf/kdkjh }kjk LFkkfir] mlds LokfeRok/khu ;k fu;a=.kk/khu fdlh fo|ky; ls fHkUu dksbZ fo|ky;] bl vfu;fu;e ds izkjaHk ds i"pkr~ LFkkfir ugah fd;k tk,xk ;k ,sls izkf/kdkjh ls] ,sls iz:i esa vkSj ,slh jhfr esa tks fofgr dh tk,] dksbZ vkosnu djds ekU;rk izek.ki= vfHkizkIr fd, fcuk dk;Z ugha djsxkA ¼2½ mi/kkjk ¼1½ ds v/khu fofgr izkf/kdkjh ,sls iz:i esa] ,slh vof/k ds Hkhrj] ,slh jhfr esa vkSj ,slh "krksZa ds v/khu jgrs gq,] tks fofgr dh tk,] ekU;rk izek.ki= tkjh djsxk% ijarq ;g fd fdlh fo|ky; dks ekU;rk rc rd vuqnÙk ugha dh tk,xh tc rd og /kkjk 19 ds v/khu fofufnZ'V eku vkSj ekudksa dks iwjk ugha djrk gSA ¼3½ ekU;rk dh "krksaZ ds mYya?ku ij] fofgr izkf/kdkjh fyf[kr vksn"k }kjk ekU;rk okil ys ysxk% ijarq ,sls vkns"k esa ,slk funs"k gksxk fd vklikl dkSu lk fo|ky; gS ftlesa] xSjekU;rkizkIr fo|ky; essa v/;;u dj jgs ckydks dks] izos"k fn;k tk,xk% ijarq ;g vkSj fd ,slh ekU;rk dks] ,sls fo|ky; dks ,slh jhfr esa tks fofgr dh tk,] lquokbZ dk volj fn, fcuk okil ugah fy;k tk,xkA ¼4½ dksbZ ,slk fo|ky;] mi/kkjk ¼3½ ds v/khu ekU;rk okil ysus dh rkjh[k ls dk;Z tkjh ugah j[ksxkA Patna High Court CWJC No.15217 of 2018 dt.30-07-2019 14/20 ¼5½ dksbZ O;fDr tks ekU;rk izek.k i= vfHkizkIr fd, fcuk fo|ky; LFkkfir djrk gS ;k pykrk gS ;k ekU;rk okil ysus ds i"pkr~ dksbZ fo|ky; pykuk tkjh j[krk gS] tqekZus ls] tks ,d yk[k #i, rd dk gks ldsxk vkSj fuajrj mYya?ku dh n"kk esa tqekZus ls tks izR;sd fnu ds fy,] ftlds nkSjku ,slk mYya?ku tkjh jgrk gS] nl #i, rd dk gks ldsxk] nk;h gksxkA"
9. The Rules, 2011 was framed in purported exercise of power under Section 38 of the Act. Section 38 of the Act is quoted below:-
"38. leqfpr ljdkj dh fu;e cukus dh "kfDr&¼1½ leqfpr ljdkj] vf/kfu;e ds mica/kksa ds dk;kZUo;u ds fy, fu;e] vf/klwpuk }kjk cuk ldsxhA ¼2½ fof"k'Vr;k vkSj iwoZxkeh "kfDr;ksa dh O;kidrk ij izfrdwy izHkko Mkys fcuk] ,sls fu;e fuEufyf[kr lHkh ;k fdUgha fo'k;ksa ds fy, mica/k dj ldsaxs] vFkkZr~%& ¼d½ /kkjk 4 ds igys ijarqd ds v/khu fo"ks'k izf"k{k.k nsus ds jhfr vkSj mldh le;&lhek( ¼[k½ /kkjk 6 ds v/khu fdlh iM+kslh fo|ky; dh LFkkiuk ds fy, {ks= ;k lhek,a( ¼x½ /kkjk 9 ds [kaM ¼?k½ ds v/khu pkSng o'kZ rd dh vk;q ds ckydksa ds vfHkys[ksa ds vuqj{k.k dh jhfr( ¼?k½ /kkjk 12 dh mi/kkjk ¼2½ ds v/khu O;; dh izfriwfrZ dh jhfr vkSj lhek( ¼M-½ /kkjk 14 dh mi/kkjk ¼1½ ds v/khu ckyd dh vk;q dk vo/kkj.k djus gsrq dksbZ vU; nLrkost( ¼Pk½ /kkjk 15 ds v/khu izos"k ysus ds fy, foLrkfjr vof/k vkSj ;fn foLrkfjr vof/k ds i"pkr~ izos"k fy;k tkrk gS rks v/;;u iwjk djus dh jhfr( Patna High Court CWJC No.15217 of 2018 dt.30-07-2019 15/20 ¼N½ izkf/kdkjh] iz:i vkSj jhfr] ftldks vkSj ftlesa /kkjk 18 dh mi/kkjk ¼1½ ds v/khu ekU;rk izek.ki= ds fy, vkosnu fd;k tk,xk( ¼t½ /kkjk 18 dh mi/kkjk ¼2½ ds v/khu ekU;rk izek.ki= ds iz:i] vof/k] mls tkjh djus dh jhfr vkSj "krsZa( ¼>½ /kkjk 18 dh mi/kkjk ¼3½ ds nwljs ijUrqd ds v/khu lquokbZ dk vokj iznku djus dh jhfr( ¼ञ½ /kkjk 21 dh mi/kkjk ¼2½ ds [kaM ¼?k½ ds v/khu fo|ky;
izca/ku lfefr }kjk fd, tkus okys vU; d`R;( ¼V½ /kkjk 22 dh mi/kkjk ¼1½ ds v/khu fo|ky; fodkl ;kstuk rS;kj djus dh jhfr( ¼B½ /kkjk 23 dh mi/kkjk ¼3½ ds v/khu f"k{kd dks lans; osru vkSj HkÙks vkSj mldh lsok dh "krsZa( ¼M½ /kkjk 24 dh mi/kkjk ¼1½ ds [kaM ¼p½ ds v/khu f"k{kd } kjk ikyu fd, tkus okys drZO;( ¼<½ /kkjk 24 dh mi/kkjk ¼3½ ds v/khu f"k{kdksa dh f"kdk;rksa dks nwj djus dh jhfr( ¼.k½ /kkjk 30 dh mi/kkjk ¼2½ ds v/khu izkjafHkd f"k{kk iwjh djus ds fy, izek.ki= nsus dk iz:i vkSj jhfr( ¼r½ /kkjk 31 dh mi/kkjk ¼3½ ds v/khu izkf/kdj.k] mlds xBu dh jhfr vkSj mlds fy, fuca/ku vkSj "krsZa( ¼Fk½ /kkjk 33 dh mi/kkjk ¼3½ ds v/khu jk'Vªh; lykgdkj ifj'kn ds lnL;ksa ds HkÙks vkSj fu;qfDr ds fuca/ku vkSj "krsaZ( ¼n½ /kkjk 34 dh mi/kkj ¼3½ ds v/khu jkT; lykgdkj ifj'kn ds lnL;ksa ds HkÙksZa vkSj fu;qfDr ds fuca/ku vkSj "krsZa( ¼3½ bl vf/kfu;e ds v/khu dsUnzh; ljdkj }kjk cuk;k x;k izR;sd fu;e vkSj dsUnzh; ljdkj }kjk /kkjk 20 vkSj /kkjk 23 ds v/khu tkjh izR;sd vf/klwpuk cuk, tkus ds i"pkr~ ;Fkk"kh?kz] laln~ ds izR;sd lnu ds le{k] tc og l= esa gks] dqy rhl fnu dh vof/k ds fy, j[kh tk,xhA ;g vof/k ,d l= esa vFkok nks ;k vf/kd vkuqØfed l=ksa esa iwjh gks ldsxhA ;fn ml l= ds ;k iwoksZDr vkuqØfed l=ksa ds Bhd ckn ds l= ds voku ds iwoZ nksuksa lnu ml fu;e ;k vf/klwpuk esa dksbZ ifjorZu Patna High Court CWJC No.15217 of 2018 dt.30-07-2019 16/20 djus ds fy, Lkger gks tk,a rks rRi"pkr~ og ,sls ifjofrZr :i esa gh izHkkoh gksxkA ;fn mDr volku ds iwoZ nksuksa lnu lger gks tk,a fd og fu;e ;k vf/klwpuk ugha cuk;h tkuh pkfg, rks rRi"pkr~ og fu'izHkko gks tk,xhA fdUrq fu;e ;k vf/klwpuk ds ,sls ifjofrZr ;k fu'izHkko gksus ls mlds v/khu igys dh xbZ fdlh ckr dh fof/kekU;rk ij izfrdqy izHkko ugha iM+sxkA ¼4½ bl vf/kfu;e ds v/khu jkT; ljdkj }kjk cuk;k x;k izR;sd fu;e ;k vf/klwpuk cuk, tkus ds i"Pkkr~ ;Fkk"kh?kz jkT; fo/kku&eaMy ds le{k j[kh tk,xhA"
10. Reading in between the line of Section 38, it is evidently clear that the rule making power enables the State Government to frame rules for the implementation of the Act.
Clause 5 of sub-section (2) of Section 38 is the relevant provision for rule making for determination of the age in terms of Section 14 Sub-Section (1) of the Act.
11. Mr. Bharti referring to the Rule 2011 particularly Rules 9 and 11 would submit that modalities have been prescribed for the purpose of accepting the date of birth at the time of admission and rule 18 talks about the recognization by three-men Committee constituted in each District by the State Government.
12. Mr. Satyabir Bharti next contended that as per Bihar Education Code admission is only permissible at the level of Class-
7. It is to be noted here that the whole education system has undergone a change since framing of Education Code. Patna High Court CWJC No.15217 of 2018 dt.30-07-2019 17/20 It is to be noted here that the Bihar Education Code is not statutory rule as held out by the Constitutional Bench of the Apex Court in the case of Dwarikanath Tiwary Vs. The State of Bihar & Ors: AIR 1959 SC 249. The Board has framed its own Regulation and Rules for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of the Bihar School Examination Board Act and the Rules framed thereunder as well as Affiliation Regulation. When specific provisions have been framed under the Bihar School Examination Board Act and the Rules and Regulations have been framed thereunder either for the purpose of giving effect to the scheme of the Act or for the purpose of affiliation, then general regulation or general provision is not attracted in the decision making process.
13. The Court on scrutiny of the materials available on the record comes to the conclusion that the Board has acted beyond its jurisdiction in taking decision against this institution. Firstly, the Board has placed reliance on the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act and the Rules framed thereunder without adopting such rules for the purpose of transaction of its business. Secondly, from the show cause notice it appears that the Board has inferred hanky-panky only because the admission in the school was based not on Transfer Certificate but on self declaration which is one of the admissible mode for determining age at the Patna High Court CWJC No.15217 of 2018 dt.30-07-2019 18/20 time of entry in the school as per Rule 9 of the Rules, 2011 framed under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act.
14. From perusal of the show cause notice the Court comes to the conclusion that the entire decision of the Board is based on suspicion. It is now well settled that suspicion howsoever strong cannot partake the character of proof and only on the basis of suspicion the Examination Board has taken decision to condemn the institution. Therefore, the decision of the Board dated 19.12.2018, which has been placed on record by way of counter affidavit, Annexure-B and challenged by the petitioner in I.A. No. 1 of 2019 is not sustainable. The Secretary of the Board has taken decision in purported exercise of Regulation 15(3)(IX) of the 2011 Affiliation Regulation. In the decision dated 19.12.2018 reasons have been found alien to the show cause notice. For instance, for the first time the Board in paragraph-9 of the order dated 19.12.2018 has noted that the power to grant affiliation is vested with the Board but no decision to approve affiliation to the institution was taken by the Board which was not subject-matter of the show cause notice. The aforesaid instance is indicative of the bias in the decision making process by the Board. The Board's Patna High Court CWJC No.15217 of 2018 dt.30-07-2019 19/20 decision which was quashed by this Court was, in fact, reiterated by the Board in the impugned order dated 19.12.2018.
15. It is to be noted here that after the order of the Writ Court in CWJC No. 7943 of 2017 and MJC No. 3572 of 2017, the Board suspended the affiliation notwithstanding the fact that there was no provision for suspension of affiliation.
16. On consideration of the entire material facts and circumstances as discussed hereinabove, the Court has no hesitation in holding that the entire action of the respondent-Board is illegal and arbitrary exercise of power. Such decision cannot sustain. Accordingly, the order dated 19.12.2018 as contained in Memo No. 3450, Annexure-B to the counter affidavit is quashed.
The effect of the quashing of the order would entitle the petitioner-
institution to allow the students of the institution to appear in the examination subject to verification of their age by a duly constituted Medical Board by the Examination Board/ authority within a period of 15 days from the date of receipt/production of a copy of this order failing which the Board shall not be allowed to question the issue of over age of the candidates of the school in question for the purpose of registration and appearance in the examination conducted by the Board.
Patna High Court CWJC No.15217 of 2018 dt.30-07-2019 20/20
17. Since the matter was pending before this Court, the Court directs the Board to accept the fees and forms of the students of the institution in question notwithstanding the last date fixed.
18. For the reasons stated above, the writ petition is allowed and disposed of in the manner as indicated above.
(Anil Kumar Upadhyay, J) spandey/-
AFR/NAFR A.F.R. CAV DATE N.A. Uploading Date 03.08.2019 Transmission Date N.A