51 mins ago
Allahabad High Court Halts Teacher’s Suspension Pending Inquiry
A school teacher in Sambhal was suspended after allegations about religious activities involving students.
Reports said girls were made to wear hijabs and boys to wear skull caps.
Students were also allegedly asked to recite a poem before morning prayers.
The teacher denied doing this.
He said he was on approved medical leave at the time.
Government officials said records showed that he was present.
The Allahabad High Court did not decide who was right.
Instead, it paused the suspension while an official inquiry takes place.
The inquiry was ordered to finish preferably within 15 days.
The Allahabad High Court put Mohammed Anzar Ahmad’s suspension on hold while a departmental inquiry proceeds.
Authorities accused Ahmad of allowing or forcing students to participate in Islamic practices at a Sambhal government school.
Reported allegations included girls wearing hijabs, boys wearing skull caps, and students reciting an Urdu verse before morning prayers.
Ahmad denied the allegations and said he was on sanctioned medical leave when the activities allegedly occurred.
The court ordered the inquiry to be completed preferably within 15 days and said it was not deciding the allegations’ truth.
- Who
- Mohammed Anzar Ahmad, a school teacher and former in-charge headmaster, challenged the suspension imposed by education authorities.
- What
- The Allahabad High Court kept Ahmad’s suspension in abeyance pending a departmental inquiry into alleged religious practices involving students.
- Where
- A government school in Sambhal district, Uttar Pradesh.
- When
- The court issued its order on September 7; the suspension had been ordered on May 10.
- Why
- Ahmad challenged his suspension, denying the allegations and saying he was on sanctioned medical leave when the alleged activities occurred.
Teacher’s Position
Authorities’ Position
Presence during alleged activities
Teacher’s Position
Ahmad’s counsel said he was hospitalized or on sanctioned medical leave and was not present when the prayer-related activities allegedly occurred.
Authorities’ Position
The authorities argued that records showed Ahmad was present at the school during the relevant period.
Nature of the school activities
Teacher’s Position
Ahmad denied the allegations and disputed the authorities’ interpretation of the records and events.
Authorities’ Position
Authorities alleged that students were made or allowed to take part in Islamic practices, including wearing hijabs and skull caps and reciting an Urdu verse.
Appropriateness of suspension
Teacher’s Position
Ahmad argued that the allegations, even if accepted, did not justify a major penalty and that the suspension was unlawful.
Authorities’ Position
The education authorities proceeded with disciplinary action and served him with a chargesheet dated September 3.
Key facts
- Court
- Allahabad High Court
- Teacher
- Mohammed Anzar Ahmad
- Suspension date
- May 10
- Court order
- September 7
- Inquiry deadline
- Preferably within 15 days
- Allegations
- Students allegedly participated in Islamic prayers or practices, with reports mentioning hijabs, skull caps and an Urdu verse
- Teacher’s defense
- He said he was on sanctioned medical leave and was absent when the alleged activities occurred
Quotes
Justice Manju Rani Chauhan
Allahabad High Court judge hearing Ahmed’s petition
“The enquiry initiated against the petitioner be brought to its logical conclusion, strictly in accordance with law, at the earliest, and preferably within a period of 15 days from today. Till conclusion of the enquiry, the impugned suspension order shall be kept in abeyance and shall abide by the final outcome of the enquiry.”
indianexpress.com
“During the departmental enquiry, the petitioner shall have ample opportunity to prove his innocence.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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