In a significant intervention aimed at protecting students’ right to education, the Delhi High Court on Monday ordered the immediate reinstatement of 25 students expelled by Delhi Public School (DPS), Dwarka. The students, who were removed from the rolls over the non-payment of hiked fees, are permitted to resume classes starting Tuesday, provided their parents deposit 50% of the outstanding dues by April 17.
The order was passed by Justice Jasmeet Singh during the hearing of a contempt petition filed by the affected students. The petition alleged that the school management willfully violated a previous High Court order dated May 16, 2025, which explicitly protected students from discrimination or victimization during the ongoing fee dispute.
During the proceedings, the Court expressed strong displeasure over the school’s decision to expel students despite existing judicial protections. Orally observing the repetitive nature of such disputes, Justice Jasmeet Singh remarked, “It can’t be that every year we will undergo the same exercise. Once there is an order, you have to comply with it in letter and spirit… It’s not fair on your school’s part. Not fair at all… Every year, the same mockery. Same exercise.”
The Judge further added, “Call your chairman here. What is this? Every year same circus.”
The senior counsel representing DPS Dwarka argued that the management had issued show-cause notices to the students regarding the outstanding fees for the 2025-2026 academic session. The school maintained that the action was taken because the replies to these notices were deemed “unsatisfactory.”
The Court also turned its attention to the Delhi government’s Directorate of Education (DoE). The school management claimed that the DoE has not approved any revised fee structure since the 2015-2016 session, leaving the institution in a difficult financial position.
“How does the school function at the same rate as 2015-2016? You have approved none,” Justice Singh questioned the government’s counsel. The Court noted that schools are expected to maintain high standards and implement the 7th Central Pay Commission, with the 8th Pay Commission on the horizon. “You don’t permit an increase in fees. How will the school function? You are the fountainhead of all this,” the Court observed.
The legal battle began when 102 parents moved the High Court seeking protection against “coercive methods” allegedly used by the school to collect unapproved fees. The parents claimed the school had increased monthly fees by approximately ₹7,000 to ₹9,000 without government authorization.
Earlier, on May 16, 2025, a coordinate bench had directed parents to deposit 50% of the hiked fees to ensure their children’s education remained uninterrupted. Furthermore, the DoE had previously issued orders in May 2024 directing the school to refund excess fees from the 2022-23 session and ensuring that students do not suffer academic loss or ill-treatment.
The Court has now issued formal notices to the Principal of DPS Dwarka, the Chairman of the Managing Committee, and the Director of the DoE regarding the contempt petition.
Key directives from the order include:
- Reinstatement: Expelled students must be allowed to join classes starting tomorrow.
- Payment Deadline: Parents must deposit 50% of the outstanding dues by April 17, 2025, without prejudice to their legal rights.
- Petitioner Status: The Court clarified that only the students who were actually expelled should be listed as petitioners in this specific contempt case.
The matter is scheduled for its next hearing on August 27.
