Allahabad High Court Orders Closure Of 100-Year-Old Lucknow Girls’ School For Unsafe Building

The Allahabad High Court has ordered that no academic activities be carried out in the premises of Chutki Bhandar Girls Intermediate College in Lucknow after an inspection found the building unsafe and beyond repair. Court directed the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS) to relocate students to alternative institutions within a week while also ensuring continuity of service benefits for teaching and non-teaching staff.

A division bench of Justice Alok Mathur and Justice Brij Raj Singh passed the order while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Vijay Kumar Pandey concerning the condition of the school building, which is stated to be more than 100 years old. The plea alleged that the structure had become dangerously dilapidated and faced the possibility of imminent collapse.

Inspection Report Flagged Unsafe School Building

According to the court-recorded school inspection findings, it was alarming. Pursuant to an earlier direction of the bench, the school building was inspected by the DIOS and engineers of the Public Works Department. Their report, placed before the court through a supplementary affidavit dated April 28, 2026, found clear signs of “shear failure crack” and “structural failure” across most walls of the building.

The report also noted that the roof consisted of reinforced brick construction and there was no possibility of repairing the structure. On the basis of these findings, court observed that the “entire building has been declared to be unsafe".

The bench further noted that classrooms numbered 11, 13, 17 and 18 had already been shut by the institution itself due to safety concerns. However,court held that the remaining classrooms too could not be permitted to function in such an unsafe structure.

Relocation of Students and Staff

Answering this concern, court directed the DIOS to ensure that all students are shifted to suitable alternative schools. The bench observed that parents and students should first attempt to secure admissions independently in institutions of their choice. If they fail to do so, they may approach the DIOS, who would then facilitate admission in another suitable educational institution, preferably one chosen by the parents.

Court also took note of the fact that the institution is an aided school receiving financial assistance from the state government and that salaries of teachers are paid by the government. In view of this, it directed that teaching and non-teaching staff be relocated in accordance with applicable government policy and legal provisions.

Importantly, the bench ordered that continuity of service and all service-related benefits of staff members must be protected after expiry of the seven-day period granted for closure of academic activities. The responsibility for ensuring this was placed on the DIOS and other competent authorities.

Reconstruction of the School Building

The court said yes. It permitted the Committee of Management of the institution to seek funds for reconstruction of the school building. The bench observed that the management may apply to the state government for benefits under the “Alankar” Scheme by submitting a detailed building plan and estimated cost of construction through the DIOS. The competent authority was directed to consider such an application in accordance with law.

The matter will next be heard on July 16, 2026, when authorities are expected to place a compliance report before the court.

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Case Title: Vijay Kumar Pandey v. State of U.P. through Chief Secretary, Lucknow and 13 Others

Order Date: May 15, 2026

Bench: Justice Alok Mathur and Justice Brij Raj Singh