SUBODH SHRIDHAR DESAI Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) An important issue was raised in the present PIL.

(2.) The petitioners are the parents whose wards are prosecuting their studies in respondent Jawahar Navodaya Vidhyalay at Valpoi, Satari, North Goa. Taking into consideration the issue involved in the petition, notice was issued to the respondents and response was sought for by way of affidavits. Vide order dtd. 6/6/2022 the Division Bench of this Court was pleased to direct the Commissioner, Navodaya Vidhyalay to depute a suitable Officer to inspect the premises and also hold consultation with the Principal of the Vidhyalaya. It was further directed that the Commissioner should then file an affidavit before this Court addressing the issue raised in this petition. The Principal of the said Navodaya Vidhyalay filed an affidavit in this Court and the Division Bench took note of a statement in the file wherein it was stated that the Principal herself is very much interested in opening the Science stream in the school. A reference is made to a communication dtd. 1/4/2016. A copy of the same is placed on record at Exhibit P-1, page 23 of the petition. For ready reference we may quote certain parts of the communication and the same reads as follows:

(3.) Thus, the XI Science stream was to be made functional from the academic year 2016 itself but due to certain difficulties it could not be started and the petition is filed before this Court.