High Court summons education board secretary

Chandigarh, October 4
Just a fortnight after the Punjab and Haryana High Court virtually passed strictures on the Punjab School Education Board for hiding behind the rules and regulations, instead of coming to the rescue of a school student duped by an agent, its secretary is now in the contempt loop.
Justice Surya Kant has directed the board secretary to remain present in the court to show cause why contempt of court proceedings be not initiated against him for disobeying the orders of September 26.
The High Court had directed the respondents to issue a roll number to the student. Directions were also issued to allow the petitioner to take the class 12 examinations, subject to the outcome of the writ petition.
Taking up the matter this morning, Justice Surya Kant directed the secretary to ensure that the petitioner is allowed to appear in the class 12 examination scheduled to commence a day later.
Justice Surya Kant also warned him against “serious consequences” in case the orders were not complied with.
The student, through her mother, was seeking the quashing of letter issued on September 24, vide which she was again treated as a private candidate.
In her earlier petition regarding class X examinations filed through her mother, Dr Indu Sharma, the student had contended that she had applied through Zee Study Point School, Manupur, Fatehgarh Sahib district, as a regular/open school candidate for the matriculation examination.
A receipt of Rs 7,400 was also issued to her by the agent before she received the roll number from the board. But, the petitioner was declared fail in the examination, as she did not pass in Punjabi, mathematics and social studies.
An inquiry into the entire affair revealed that the agent had forwarded her form as a private candidate, instead of a regular/open school candidate.
Taking up the case, Justice Rajive Bhalla asserted: “A clear finding has been recorded that the petitioner was duped by the agent, as he forwarded her examination form as a private candidate, whereas she had applied as a regular/open school candidate.
“The difference between the two types of candidates is that a private candidate is required to pass Punjabi with four subjects from group-A, whereas a regular school/open school candidate is required to pass Punjabi with three subjects.”