Anna Nursery and Primary School Vs the Secretary to Government

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W.P No.18285 of 2024

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

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DATED : 18.08.2025

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CORAM

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THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE C. KUMARAPPAN

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Writ Petition No.18285 of 2024

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Anna University & Primary School, Rep by its Correspondent, Mrs.S.Chellammal, wife of Late Mr.Selvaraj, Sikkal-611108, Nagapattinam Taluk & District. ... Petitioner

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..Vs..

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1.The Secretary to Government School Education, Fort St George, Chennai-600009.

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2.The Director of School Education, College Road, Chennai – 600006.

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3.The District Educational Officer, Private Schools, District Education Office, Nagapattinam.

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... Respondents

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PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records of the 3^rd respondent in Na.Ka.No.034/A1/2023 dated 17.05.2024 and quash the same and direct the 3^rd respondent to grant 6 months time to submit the registered Lease Deed.

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P No.18285 of 2024

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For Petitioner : Mr.S.Dharmakkan

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For Respondents : Mrs.S.Mythreye Chandru, Special Government Pleader

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ORDER

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The present writ petition has been filed seeking for grant of six months time to submit the registered lease deed.

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The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner's school was established in 1978 by one Mr.Selvaraj, who has subsequently formed a Trust in the name of Christopher Education Foundation vide Trust deed dated 22.12.1993. It is further submitted that the school was granted official recognition in 1993, and thereafter, approval was granted for the period from 01.06.2019 to 31.05.2022. After the demise of the founder during 27.09.2022, a family dispute arose among his legal heirs and in view of the same, the petitioner was unable to produce the registered lease deed. In the meanwhile, the respondents issued a Show Cause Notice dated 17.05.2024, directing the petitioner to produce the registered lease deed. For which, the petitioner submitted a reply dated 21.05.2024, requesting six months time to 2/6

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P No.18285 of 2024

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comply with the requirement. Since, the authorities attempted to cancel the school's recognition due to non-submission of the registered lease deed, the petitioner has approached this Court seeking an extension of six months time to submit the same.

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At this juncture, the learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submits that the prayer sought for in the present writ petition is only to grant six months' time from 17^th June 2024. However, since more than a year has now passed, the prayer in the writ petition has become infructuous.

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I have given my anxious consideration to either side submissions and also perused the materials available on record.

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While looking at the pleadings in the writ petition, this Court able to find that there is a dispute among the trustees and the issue is also pending before the Civil Court. Only in that background, the petitioner approached this Court, seeking a direction to the third respondent to grant six months' time for submitting the registered lease deed. This writ petition was filed on 17^th June 3/6

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P No.18285 of 2024

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However, as we are now in August 2025, the period sought by the petitioner has already lapsed. Therefore, there is nothing survives for consideration in the present writ petition.

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