School Farm Land Lease Requires Committee's Reasoned Decision : Allahabad HC

The Allahabad High Court addressed encroachments on school playgrounds in Meerut, ruling that school farmland cannot be leased without a justified decision.

Jai Bhagwan, the petitioner, filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to protect a government school’s playground from unauthorized encroachments. The court recognized the essential role of playgrounds for students' development and mandated proper management of school land.

The Court referenced the State of Haryana vs. Satpal (2023), reinforcing the protection of educational spaces, and directed that leasing decisions must involve a committee's evaluation to ensure the protection of school playgrounds.