Islamic Prayers, Religious Uniforms At School: Allahabad HC Keeps Teacher’s Suspension In Abeyance, Orders Inquiry In 15 Days

The Allahabad High Court has kept in abeyance the suspension of a government school teacher in Sambhal, who was accused of allowing or facilitating alleged Islamic practices at the school, including students reciting an Islamic prayer and wearing attire associated with the Muslim community.

A bench of Justice Manju Rani Chauhan passed the order on September 7 in the plea moved by Mohd. Anzar Ahmed. Ahmed had challenged a May 10 suspension order issued by the District Basic Education Officer, Sambhal.

Islamic prayers, uniforms

According to Ahmed's counsel, the suspension order contained serious allegations relating to the period when he was serving as Incharge Headmaster. It was alleged that students at the school were performing Islamic prayers and wearing uniforms which indicated that they belonged to a particular community.

Ahmed's defence was that he was on sanctioned medical leave during the relevant period and, therefore, the alleged activities could not have taken place while he was in charge. He further argued that even assuming he was the Incharge Headmaster at the relevant time, the allegations were not serious enough to justify a major penalty.

Court had earlier, on August 19, granted the Basic Education Officer a week's time to obtain instructions on the matter.

When the case came up again on September 7, the authorities informed the court that a charge-sheet had been served on Ahmed that very day. The respondents also relied on certain records which, according to their counsel, showed Ahmed at prayer services before November 14, 2025, where students were allegedly performing Islamic prayers and wearing the disputed uniforms.

Teacher says he was on medical leave

Ahmed, however, disputed his presence at the prayer services. His counsel told the court that the records showed that he had been admitted to hospital for treatment and that medical leave had been sanctioned to him during the relevant period.

The petitioner also relied on the leave application and status already placed on record before the high court, maintaining that he was never present when the students allegedly carried out the activities in question.

The high court, however, said it would not examine the rival claims at this stage.

“This court is of the considered opinion that the charges levelled against the petitioner cannot be examined at this stage,” Justice Chauhan said, adding that the explanation and documents relied upon by Ahmed could be raised as a defence during the departmental inquiry.

Court said the petitioner would have “ample opportunity to prove his innocence” in the inquiry.

Suspension to remain in abeyance till inquiry ends

While disposing of the writ petition, the high court directed the authorities to bring the departmental inquiry to its logical conclusion “strictly in accordance with law” at the earliest and preferably within 15 days from September 7.

At the same time, court ordered that the suspension order would remain in abeyance until the conclusion of the inquiry and would abide by its final outcome.

Court also directed the authorities to provide Ahmed all relevant documents within three days, ensuring that he has access to the material necessary to defend himself in the departmental proceedings.

Case Title: Mohd. Anzar Ahmed v. Principal Secretary, Basic Education & 4 Others

Order Date: September 7, 2026

Bench: Justice Manju Rani Chauhan