THE Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Education Department has been requested to conduct an appropriate inquiry into allegations that around 50 to 60 non-teaching staff members of C.E.S.’s Michael High School, Kurla (West), were asked or encouraged to attend school on July 6 and 7, 2026, despite holidays declared by the civic body in view of heavy rainfall.
In a letter dated October 19, 2026, addressed to Kirtivardhan Kiratkudve, Deputy Education Officer, Education Department, BMC, the Mayor’s office has forwarded the representation submitted by Dr. Vedprakash Tiwari, Advocate, Bombay High Court, and President of Rashtriya Lok Dal, Maharashtra Pradesh, and asked the concerned official to conduct an appropriate inquiry as per rules and submit the inquiry report to the Mayor’s office.
The representation raised concerns over the school’s explanation regarding the presence of non-teaching staff on the two declared holidays. In its written clarification, the school stated that the BMC-declared holidays were followed, but claimed that most non-teaching employees voluntarily came to assist the management. The school cited reasons including informing students and parents who might arrive despite the holiday, cleaning classrooms, and completing salary-related, U-DISE and SARAL data work.
Dr. Tiwari objected to the school’s clarification and sought an independent inquiry to establish whether the staff members had genuinely attended voluntarily or had been instructed or pressured to report to work. He also sought verification of attendance registers, biometric records, CCTV footage and communications issued to employees, wherever available.
The complaint further highlighted that, according to documents obtained under the Right to Information Act, the BMC Education Department had, through a letter dated August 4, 2025, recommended cancellation of the school’s recognition to the Director of Education (Primary) in connection with irregularities identified earlier.
Dr. Tiwari has sought scrutiny of the earlier recommendation alongside the latest allegations and requested appropriate action in accordance with applicable rules.
The Mayor’s letter directs an inquiry and submission of a report; it does not itself establish that the school committed a violation or order cancellation of its recognition. The findings of the inquiry and any subsequent action by the competent authorities remain awaited.