Explain need for police at schools’ takeover, HC asks Delhi government

New Delhi, Aug 10 (IANS) Questioning the presence of the police during the takeover of two school branches here, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the Delhi government to explain the issue.

"It's a children school... why go there (school) with a police force," the court asked.

Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva asked the Delhi government and its Department of Education (DoE) to explain the need for armed police while taking possession of two branches of Maxfort School last week.

The government was directed to file response to the school's petition to challenge the Lieutenant Governor's approval to the government's decision to take over the two branches of Maxfort School at west Delhi's Pitampura and Rohini.

The court listed the matter for further hearing on August 23.

The court also took note of a complaint filed by court-appointed Local Commissioner that she was harassed by government officials during the takeover.

However, the Delhi government's senior standing counsel Rahul Mehra informed the court that police was present as a "precautionary measure" due to alleged aggression on part of the school authorities.

The government decided on the takeover under the Delhi School Education Act after receiving complaints of charging of capitation fee and denying admission to poor students under the economically weaker sections quota.

Officials took possession of the school's property last Wednesday, against which Maxfort School approached the high court.