Government Circular Banning Commercial Use of School Playgrounds Quashed: Allahabad High Court

The Allahabad High Court has struck down a government circular that prohibited the commercial use of playgrounds in educational institutions.

The Court called the circular arbitrary and held that educational societies have the right to use their property for reasonable commercial purposes, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the primary educational and sporting activities.

The Bench noted that having a playground is essential for an institution’s affiliation or recognition. It also observed that no statutory law prohibits the commercial use of educational property, and none was cited before the court.

[Girja Shankar v State of U.P. and 3 others]