Private School Can’t Avoid Paying Staff by Simply Shutting Down Without Prior Approval from DoE: Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court has held that a recognised private school cannot be treated as legally closed merely because it stops functioning without prior approval from the Directorate of Education (DoE).

The Court observed that such unilateral closure does not end the salary and service rights of teaching and non-teaching staff.

In this case, employees approached the Court over unpaid salaries after the school shut down citing financial issues.

Rejecting the management’s argument, the Court clarified that statutory approval is mandatory, and institutions cannot escape obligations by simply shutting operations.

[Vishwajyoti v. Virender Kumar Sardana & Ors.]