In a rather emotional hearing at the Delhi High Court on Thursday, Justice Vikas Mahajan stepped in to ease a crisis that had pushed a Class 10 student out of school. The courtroom saw an unusual moment when an advocate, present for an unrelated matter, volunteered to pay a major chunk of the boy’s outstanding fees after hearing the father’s struggles. The court then requested Delhi Public School to treat the payment as a complete settlement and immediately take the child back on the rolls.
Background
The student’s troubles began after his father met with a serious accident in 2023, which threw the family into a deep financial crisis. Because the fee payments stopped, the school struck off the boy’s name in March 2025 under Rule 35 of the Delhi School Education Rules.
Read also: Assam High Court Flags Gaps in Police Recruitment Policy for Transgender Applicants, Seeks Clarity
The family then approached the High Court earlier this year, where the father agreed to pay ₹50,000 monthly to clear nearly ₹5.37 lakh in dues, while also paying the regular monthly fees. DPS, on its part, agreed not to charge late fees. But despite depositing ₹1.26 lakh, the father couldn’t keep up due to job loss and the additional burden of medical treatment for the student’s ailing grandfather. This led to yet another removal order issued by the school on 26 September 2025.
Court’s Observations
As the matter came up again, the father's situation moved several people in the courtroom. At one point, Advocate R.K. Kapoor-who wasn’t connected with the case-logged in via video conferencing for another matter. After hearing the father’s distress, he unexpectedly offered to help.
When the matter was taken up after a short break, Mr. Kapoor appeared in person and volunteered to contribute ₹2.5 lakh towards the remaining dues. The court noted the gesture with visible appreciation.
Read also: Supreme Court Flags Serious Concerns Over Police Conduct in Madhya Pradesh Case, Seeks Affidavits
Justice Mahajan said the case required "a humane approach," adding that rigid enforcement of school rules would only cripple the child’s education. At one point, the bench observed, “The circumstances of this family are extremely unfortunate, and the child’s education should not suffer because of life’s hardships.” The judge also made it clear that this relief is not a precedent but a response to an exceptional situation.
Decision
Considering the child’s age and the extraordinary support offered by the advocate, the court requested Delhi Public School to accept the ₹2.5 lakh contribution as full and final settlement of all outstanding fees, including any remaining dues for the 2025–26 session.
Read also: Gujarat High Court Rejects State’s Appeal, Says Temple-Visit Quarrel Cannot Be Treated as Cruelty
The court also asked the school to withdraw its 26 September 2025 order and restore the student’s name immediately. For the next academic year, however, the court clarified that the responsibility for timely fee payment would rest entirely on the family.
Before closing the matter, Justice Mahajan formally recorded appreciation for Mr. Kapoor’s generosity, noting how his intervention ensured the boy’s education did not collapse under financial pressure. And with that, the application was disposed of.
Case Title: Master Arnav Raj vs Delhi Public School & Anr.
Case No.: W.P.(C) 7039/2025
Case Type: Writ Petition (Civil)
Decision Date: 14 November 2025
