Denial of Admission by Private Unaided School Not Violation of Article 21: Karnataka High Court

The Karnataka High Court has held that refusal by a private unaided school to admit a student does not, by itself, violate Article 21 of the Constitution.

Justice Suraj Govindaraj dismissed a plea by Muzammil Kazi seeking admission for his son in St. Paul’s High School, noting there was no allegation of discrimination or infringement of fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19, or 21.

The Court clarified that writ petitions under Article 226 are maintainable against private unaided schools only if fundamental rights are infringed.

Since alternative schools were available, no violation was found, and the petition was dismissed.

[Muzammil Kazi & Anr. v State of Karnataka & Ors]