Nagpur: Jaripatka police have registered a case against the secretary and a teacher of Dayanand Arya Kanya Vidyalaya in Nagpur for allegedly denying admission to a Muslim girl student on religious grounds. The action was initiated after the Maharashtra State Minority Commission intervened in the matter, following a complaint from the girl’s parents.
According to reports, the student’s parents alleged that their daughter was denied entry into the school for the 2025–26 academic year solely because of her religion. The complaint reached the Minority Commission, prompting Chairman Pyare Khan to instruct the Education Department and the Department of Women and Child Development to launch a formal inquiry.
The investigation confirmed that religious discrimination had occurred. As a result, the police have booked school secretary Rajesh Lalwani and teacher Simran Gyanchandani under Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which deals with deliberate acts intended to offend religious beliefs.
It was revealed that Lalwani had directed teachers not to admit Muslim girls into the school. Some teachers, reportedly acting under pressure, kept the admission forms of Muslim students pending, while others denied admission by falsely stating that no seats were available.
The discriminatory policy led the girl’s parents to approach the Minority Commission. Upon review, the commission found the complaint to be genuine and instructed legal action based on the findings of the departmental probe.
School principal Geeta Harwani, who opposed the bias, filed a formal complaint with the authorities, condemning the secretary’s actions and the undue pressure placed on staff. She accused Lalwani of promoting discriminatory practices within the institution.
The case is currently under investigation by Jaripatka police.
Speaking on the matter, Commission Chairman Pyare Khan emphasized that educational institutions, especially those with minority status, must not indulge in any form of discrimination. “Education is a right for all. Any school found violating this principle will face strict action,” he said.
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