India, July 20 -- The Delhi government has issued a show-cause notice to the management of a private school in Janakpuri, citing serious allegations of child safety lapses, unauthorised operations and financial irregularities. The Directorate of Education (DoE) has proposed a government takeover of the school's management if the institution fails to respond satisfactorily within seven days. Education Minister Ashish Sood said the government would adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards any compromise on children's safety and welfare. "Our government has absolute zero tolerance for any compromise on the safety and dignity of our children. A school stands in loco parentis, it is legally and morally responsible for every child on its premises. If an institution covers up a heinous crime like child abuse, operates illegal branches in residential basements, and loots public funds, we will not sit quietly. We are prepared to completely take over the management and recommend the cancellation of their land lease," Sood said.
According to the government, a multi-phase inquiry by specialised DoE committees found that the school allegedly failed to report the alleged sexual molestation of a nursery student on April 30, 2026, to the Directorate of Education, despite mandatory child protection requirements. The inquiry also found that all 64 CCTV cameras at the pre-primary branch were non-functional when police visited the campus to investigate the incident. Officials alleged that the school had been operating without a CCTV maintenance contract. The DoE further alleged that the school was running nursery and kindergarten classes from an unauthorised residential building in Narang Colony, where the basement was being used as an activity area for children without approval.
The inspection also reportedly found the absence of a Child Protection Policy, Child Protection Committee and a POCSO-trained nodal officer. In addition, security personnel had allegedly not undergone mandatory police verification. Officials further alleged that the school's Fire No Objection Certificate had expired in 2020 and had not been renewed, while parents were compelled to send multiple water bottles due to inadequate drinking water facilities. The inquiry also flagged alleged financial irregularities, including the diversion of nearly Rs 6 crore earmarked for staff retirement benefits to another branch, delayed payment of salaries, and a 15 per cent fee hike for the 2025-26 academic session, which the government said was in violation of court directions. The show-cause notice proposes a government takeover of the school under Section 20(1) of the Delhi School Education Act, 1973, recommends cancellation of the school's land lease by the Delhi Development Authority, and calls for criminal proceedings under the POCSO Act and the Juvenile Justice Act. The school has been given seven days to submit its response.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.