Bombay HC Seeks EC's Reply on Notice to Private School Teachers for Election Duty

The Bombay High Court on Friday sought a reply from the Election Commission (EC) on petitions challenging show-cause notices issued to teachers of private unaided schools for not reporting as Booth Level Officers (BLOs) during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge and Justice Gautam A. Ankhad was hearing pleas filed by the Malad Cosmopolitan Education Trust, which manages private unaided minority schools, the Unaided School Forum, Marwadi Sammelan, and aggrieved teachers. The petitioners contended that BLO duties are primarily for government and semi-government employees and claimed that such duties disrupt school functioning. They also expressed fear of coercive action, including FIRs.

Senior Advocate Ashutosh Kumbhakoni, representing the EC, told the court that 120 teachers from educational institutions in Mumbai had already joined the SIR exercise. He stated that there was no requirement for additional staff at present and that the petitioners need not apprehend any coercive action for now. “This controversy is restricted only to Mumbai city and suburban areas, where we have sufficient manpower,” he submitted.

Senior Advocate Venkatesh Dhond, appearing for the petitioners, questioned whether the teachers who joined did so voluntarily, alleging that they were compelled by threats of FIRs. Senior Advocate Janak Dwarkadas also highlighted that an FIR had been registered against staff of private aided institutions in Goregaon despite legal exemptions.

The court recorded the EC's assurance that the petitioners need not be fearful for now and directed the EC to file its reply by July 2. The petitioners may file a rejoinder by July 10, with the next hearing scheduled for July 16.