Delhi School Tribunal Awards ₹25 Lakh Compensation to Teacher in Landmark Order

 Delhi School Tribunal Awards ₹25 Lakh Compensation to Teacher in Landmark Order

 

Tribunal Declares Termination Illegal, Orders Compensation

 

In a significant ruling, the Delhi School Tribunal (DST) has declared the termination of Mukesh Kumar Verma, a Physical Education teacher at Lions Public School, Ashok Vihar, as illegal, arbitrary, and mala fide. The Tribunal set aside the school's order and awarded lump sum compensation of ₹25 lakh to Mr. Verma, to be paid within four weeks, failing which interest at 10% per annum will accrue until realization.

 

Case Details and Procedural Violations

Mr. Verma—who had served at the school since 1994 and was promoted in 2005—was terminated on March 29, 2022, after the school declared his post surplus, citing declining student numbers. The Tribunal’s judgment found that the school failed to obtain the mandatory prior approval of the Directorate of Education under Section 8(2) of the Delhi School Education Act, 1973, and did not follow principles of natural justice or required disciplinary procedures.

 

Impact and Legal Precedent

This ruling reiterates the binding statutory safeguards for employees of recognized private schools in Delhi, making it clear that terminations effected without due process and government approval cannot stand. The Tribunal also emphasized that conveying mere intimation to authorities does not substitute for legal compliance, and such procedural failures will attract substantial damages.

 

Representation

The case was argued on behalf of Mr. Verma by Anuj Aggarwal, Advocate.