The Delhi government has issued a show-cause notice to a private school in Vikaspuri over life-threatening safety hazards and financial irregularities. The school has seven days to respond or face possible takeover.
The notice cites multiple violations at the Vikaspuri school. It is operating 43 classrooms without fire safety clearance and has built an unauthorised tin-shed structure with 30 rooms, an illegal basement and an unauthorised third floor. The school is also accused of extracting groundwater illegally and running senior secondary classes without valid recognition.
Additional issues include non-payment of teachers’ salaries and fee increases of 20 to 25 per cent during the COVID-19 pandemic without approval from the Directorate of Education. The government statement highlights these as part of broader financial irregularities.
The Directorate has asked the school management to explain why action should not be taken under Section 20 of the Delhi School Education Act, 1973, including a possible government takeover. It has also sought reasons why the Delhi Development Authority should not cancel the lease on the concessional public land allotted to the school.