TRIGUN CHAND THAKUR Vs. STATE OF BIHAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal arises out of judgment and order dated 21st January, 2008 in L.P.A. NO.670 of 1999 in and by which the Division Bench of the High Court of Patna affirmed the judgment of learned Single Judge holding that the Management Committee of the private schools is not "State" within the meaning of Article 12 of the Constitution of India and hence the writ petition of the petitioner is not maintainable.

(2.) The case has chequered history. The appellant was appointed as a Sanskrit teacher on 01.01.1985. On certain allegations, against the appellant by the School Department, a show cause notice was issued to him on 06.09.1994. On 01.10.1994, the appellant received the communication informing that he was suspended on account of his absence on the eve of Independence Day and Teachers' Day.

(3.) Being aggrieved, the appellant has filed the writ petition before the High Court. During the pendency of the writ petition, the service of the appellant was terminated on 23.12.1994. Learned Single Judge of the High Court vide Order dated 31.08.1995 disposed of the writ petition with the consent of both the parties observing that the appellant may agitate his rights before the Chairman of the Bihar Sanskrit Shiksha Board and the Chairman of the Board shall consider the representation of the appellant and dispose of the same in accordance with law. On 03.08.1996, the Chairman, Bihar Sanskrit Shiksha Board, considered the matter on the basis of representation of the appellant against the order of dismissal passed by the Managing Committee and found that the punishment of termination of the appellant from service was disproportionate and directed reinstatement of the appellant. Being aggrieved, Managing Committee filed an appeal before the Special Director, Secondary, Primary and Adult Education- Respondent no.2, under Section 24 of the Bihar Sanskrit Shiksha Board Act, 1981. The Special Director (Secondary Education) by Order dated 13.12.1997 remanded the matter back to the Chairman, Bihar Sanskrit Shiksha Board, with a direction to reconsider the matter in the light of the grounds taken in the appeal.