RTE Act: HC says no to 'coercive measures'

The High Court of Karnataka on Friday passed an interim order directing the State government not to resort to “coercive measures” while enforcing the Right to Education Act, 2009.

Hearing a petition filed by Karnataka Regional Commission for Education and Karnataka State Minorities Educational Institutions Managements Federation, Justice Anand Byrareddy passed the orders stating that there was no authority in the State available to declare any institution unaided minority institution.

The petitioners had questioned government order dated July 24, 2012, which directed them to produce caste certificates to establish their minority status. G R Mohan, petitioner’s advocate submitted that the Education department was pressuring unaided minority schools to admit children under RTE quota.

Encroachment

The High Court has directed the BBMP to clear encroachments on footpaths across the City and submit an affidavit to the court on the action taken.

During the hearing of a petition by Jennifer Pinto seeking to clear encroachments on footpaths, a division bench comprising Chief Justice D H Waghela observed that no commercial activity should be allowed on footpaths in the City.