Karnataka HC imposes cost of Rs one lakh on school for disrupting student's schooling
Bengaluru: The High Court of Karnataka has imposed a cost of Rs one lakh on a Bengaluru school for not allowing over 50 students to attend classes for not submitting an undertaking and paying a fine of Rs 10,000 for having ''indulged in behaviour that goes against the ethos of the school.''
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Krishan S Dixit on Friday said that it was not concerned with whether such a demand made by the school was proper or not but it was worried that class nine students were not allowed to attend classes. ''In the present schooling pattern, ninth class is important as it is a year before Class 10, a major stage,'' the Court said.
The Division Bench was hearing a civil contempt of court filed by the father of one of the students of the Brigade School, in Brigade Gateway Enclave, Malleshwaram.
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The parent had filed a petition on December 4, 2023 stating that the school had issued a communication on November 22, 2023 alleging that this daughter was indulging in behaviour that went against the ethos of the school and without concluding an enquiry, imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 ''failing which serious consequences follows.'' The petition claimed that ''the respondents are insisting the petitioner pay fine failing which the respondents will not allow the daughter to attend classes.'' The single judge bench in its interim order on December 6, stayed the operation of the school's notice and directed it to permit the student to attend classes.
On December 22, the parent again approached the HC with a contempt petition stating that the school, despite the order of the single judge bench, was not allowing his daughter to attend classes.
The court was informed that more than 50 other students were also similarly not allowed to attend classes.
The counsel for the school submitted that the student was allowed to attend classes after the court order was received by it on December 14.
It was also submitted that the student will be provided with additional classes.
However, considering that uncertainty was created and the schooling of the children were affected, the HC imposed a cost of Rs one lakh on the school which is to be payable to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund within two weeks.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
