The Director of School Education v. The President (Immanuel Sababathy)

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 27-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE S. M. SUBRAMANIAM AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE N.SENTHILKUMAR WA Nos. 2005 of 2026 AND 3354 of 2024 CMP Nos. 17469 OF 2026 and 26004 of 2024 W.A.No.2005 of 2026 Glory Rosaline W/o.J.W.Ernest Sathosh Prabhu, Headmaster, Concordia Hr.Secondary School, Bargur, Krishnagiri Dist. ..Appellant(s) Vs

¶1The President

¶2The Director of School Education, DPI Campus, College Road, Chennai - 600 006.

¶3The Chief Educational Officer

¶4The Dist.Educational Officer(Secondary) ..Respondent(s) Prayer in : WA No. 2005 of 2026 : Writ Appeal under Clause XV of the Letters Patent to set aside the orders passed by this Honble Court in WP.No.30456 of 2023 dated 13.12.2023. W.A.No.3354 of 2024

¶1The Director of School Education DPI Campus, College Road, Chennai 600 006.

¶2The Chief Educational Officer

¶3The Dist.Educational Officer(Secondary) … Appellants -Vs-The President … Respondents Prayer in : WA No. 3354 of 2024 : Writ Appeal under Clause XV of the Letters Patent to set aside the orders passed by this Honble Court in WP.No.30456 of 2023 dated 13.12.2023. WA No. 2005 of 2026 For Appellant(s): Mr.J.Jayamalan For Respondent(s): MS.S.Sunitha for R1, Dr.R.Gouri, Government Counsel for R2 WA No. 3354 of 2024 For Appellant(s): Dr.R.Gouri, Government Counsel For Respondent(s): Ms.S.Sunitha Common Judgment (Judgment of the Court was delivered by S.M.Subramaniam J.) Learned counsel for the appellant in W.A.No.2005 of 2026 would submit that one Mr.Ramesh Kumar was appointed as Correspondent in pursuance to the writ order impugned. Therefore, the appellant secured leave from this Court and filed the present appeal. The said Ramesh Kumar has also retired from service and ceased to hold the post of Correspondent. Thus, the post of Correspondent is now vacant.

¶2It is made clear that any management dispute is to be adjudicated in the manner contemplated under the Tamil Nadu Private Schools Regulation Act. Management disputes cannot be adjudicated by the Writ Court, more specifically disputed facts. Therefore, in the event of any dispute regarding Management affairs, it has to be adjudicated by approaching the competent forum. Since Mr.Ramesh Kumar has already retired from service and the post of Correspondent fell vacant, it is for the appellant to take appropriate action to establish her right in the manner known to law.

¶3With the above observations, the writ appeal No.2005 of 2026 stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently connected miscellaneous petition is closed. In the event of approaching the authorities or the competent forum, the rights of the parties are to be decided on merits uninfluenced by any observations made by the writ Court in the order impugned.

¶4Consequently, the connected W.A.No.3354 of 2024 filed by the Director of School Education against the very same impugned order dated 13.12.2023 is closed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. (S.M.S.,J.) (N.S.,J.) 27-07-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order KST To

¶1The President

¶2The Director of School Education DPI Campus, College Road, Chennai - 600

006.

¶3The Chief Educational Officer

¶4The Dist.Educational Officer(Secondary) S.M.SUBRAMANIAM J. AND N.SENTHILKUMAR J. KST WA No. 2005 of 2026 AND W.A.No.3354 of 2024 27-07-2026