New Delhi, July 19: The Delhi Government has issued a show cause notice to the management of a private school in Janakpuri over alleged safety lapses, unauthorised operations and financial irregularities. The institution is the same school where a nursery student was allegedly molested earlier this year.
Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood directed the Directorate of Education (DoE) to initiate the strongest possible action against the school’s managing trust and leadership following a multi-phase inquiry conducted by specialised DoE committees.
According to the inquiry, the school administration failed to report the alleged molestation of a nursery student that took place on the school premises in April to the Directorate of Education, allegedly violating mandatory child protection norms. The report also pointed to serious administrative failures and an alleged attempt to suppress the incident.
The investigation further found that all 64 CCTV cameras installed on the campus were non-functional and that the school had been operating without a maintenance contract for the surveillance system.
The inquiry also alleged that the school had been running its Nursery and KG classes from an unauthorised private residential building in Narang Colony. The basement of the building was reportedly being used as an activity area for children without proper supervision.
Officials found that the school did not have a Child Protection Policy, a Child Protection Committee or a POCSO-trained nodal officer. In addition, security personnel, including guards, had allegedly not undergone mandatory police background verification.
The report further stated that the school’s Fire Safety Certificate (Fire NOC) expired in 2020 and had not been renewed.
The inquiry also uncovered alleged financial irregularities. According to the findings, around Rs. 6 crore earmarked for employees’ retirement benefits was diverted to another branch under the guise of a loan settlement. The management also allegedly paid unauthorised professional fees to the school’s manager and trustees from school funds.
The report further alleged that teaching and non-teaching staff salaries were delayed by up to four months and paid according to outdated pay scales. At the same time, the school allegedly increased student fees by 15 per cent for the 2025-26 academic session in violation of High Court restrictions.
The school has been given seven days to submit its response. The Delhi Government said that failure to reply within the stipulated period would result in stringent action.
Ashish Sood said the Delhi Government has zero tolerance for any compromise on the safety and dignity of children. Stating that schools stand in loco parentis and are legally and morally responsible for every child on their premises, he said the government is prepared to take over the school’s management and recommend cancellation of its land lease if warranted.
