The Allahabad High Court has directed the authorities to complete a departmental enquiry against a teacher while keeping his suspension order in abeyance until the enquiry is concluded.
The order was passed by Justice Manju Rani Chauhan in Mohd. Anzar Ahmed v. Principal Secretary, Basic Education and 4 Others, Writ-A No. 12781 of 2026, on September 7, 2026. The court did not examine the truth of the allegations at this stage.
Background
The petitioner challenged a suspension order dated May 10, 2026, issued by the District Basic Education Officer, Sambhal. The suspension order contained allegations that students were performing Islamic prayers and wearing uniforms indicating that they belonged to a special community during the period when the petitioner was stated to be serving as In-charge Headmaster.
The petitioner maintained that he was on sanctioned medical leave during the relevant period and was not present when the alleged activities took place.
The authorities informed the court that a charge-sheet dated September 3, 2026, had been served on September 7, and submitted that records relied upon by them showed the petitioner at prayer services before November 14, 2025.
The High Court declined to decide the disputed factual issues in the writ proceedings.
“This Court is of the considered opinion that the charges levelled against the petitioner cannot be examined at this stage, inasmuch as the explanation and the documents relied upon by the petitioner can be raised as a defence in the departmental enquiry. During the departmental enquiry, the petitioner shall have ample opportunity to prove his innocence.”
The court disposed of the writ petition with a direction to complete the departmental enquiry strictly according to law, preferably within 15 days. Until the enquiry concludes, the suspension order will remain in abeyance and will be subject to the final outcome of the enquiry. The authorities were also directed to provide all relevant documents to the petitioner within three days.
Case Title: Mohd. Anzar Ahmed v. Principal Secretary, Basic Education and 4 Others
Case Number: Writ-A No. 12781 of 2026
Judge: Hon’ble Mrs. Manju Rani Chauhan, J.
Decision Date: September 7, 2026
