WP/13057/2026 of PODAR EDUCATION AND SPORTS TRUST AND ANR Vs THE PRINCIPAL SEC. SCHOOL EDUCATION AND SPORTS DEPT AND ORS on 14 October 2026

ORDER:

1. Rule. Rule made returnable forthwith. Heard finally by consent of the parties.

2. By the present Writ Petition, the Petitioners - School has sought for reimbursement of fees of their students admitted under the 25% quota in terms of the provisions of Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (“RTE Act”).

3. Heard the learned Counsel appearing for the parties. We have perused the prior orders passed by this Court, including order in City International School, Kothrud Vs. The State of Maharashtra and Ors.1, where similar relief had been sought and directions have been issued by this Court. Accordingly, in the present Writ Petition, we pass the following order.:- i. Notwithstanding the Petitioners – School having submitted its representations to Respondent No.6 – Block Education Officer, Panchayat Samiti Ambernath, together with the statement of actual dues for which reimbursement has been sought, the Petitioners – School shall address a fresh communication in the prescribed format annexing the supporting documents, which are relied upon for claiming reimbursement of their dues within a period of one week from today i.e., on or before 21st

WP 10361 of 2026, Order dated 20th August, 2026

October, 2026 to Respondent Nos.5 – Zilla Parishad, Thane & Respondent No.6. ii. Respondent Nos.5 & 6 shall upon receipt of such communication, within a period of one week therefrom i.e., on or before 28th October, 2026 call upon the Petitioners – School to comply with the remaining requisitions, if any. This shall be complied with by the Petitioners – School within a period of one week thereafter i.e., on or before 4th November, 2026. iii. Respondent Nos. 5 & 6 shall then forward their recommendations to Respondent Nos.1 to 4 and 7 – State on the Petitioners – School’s proposal within a period of two weeks therefrom i.e., on or before 18th November, 2026. iv. Respondent Nos. 1 to 4 and 7 – State shall upon receipt of the recommendations of Respondent Nos.5 & 6 determine the eligibility as well as the quantum of reimbursement due and payable, within a period of seven weeks thereafter i.e., on or before 6th January, 2027. v. The admissible amount shall thereafter be released by Respondent Nos. 1 to 4 and 7 – State to Respondent No.5 within a period of two weeks from such determination i.e., on or before 20th January, 2027. vi. Respondent No. 5 in turn, shall release such amount to the Petitioner – School within a period of one week from the receipt of the said amount i.e., on or before 27th January, 2027. vii. In the event the Petitioners – School is held to be not entitled for any amount of reimbursement, a reasoned order to that effect shall be passed and the Petitioner – School shall then be at liberty to seek redressal of its grievances, if any, in accordance with law. viii. The aforesaid timelines have been prescribed after taking into account the submissions made by the Respondents and the period sought by them for such compliance. Accordingly, the timelines shall be strictly followed. ix. The present Writ Petition is disposed of in terms of the aforesaid order. There shall be no order as to costs.

4. Place the present Writ Petition on 27th January, 2027 under the caption “For Compliance”. If by then, the directions given in this order have not been complied with, the concerned Officers of Respondent Nos. 1 to 4 and 7 – State and Respondent Nos. 5 & 6, respectively, shall remain present in Court to explain the reason for such non-compliance on their part. [ FIRDOSH P. POONIWALLA, J. ] [ R.I. CHAGLA, J.]