The Allahabad High Court last week granted relief to a teacher who was suspended over allegations that students at the school were performing Islamic prayers and wearing uniforms indicating that they belonged to a "special community".

A bench of Justice Manju Rani Chauhan directed that the departmental inquiry against the teacher be concluded at the earliest, preferably within 15 days, and ordered that the suspension order remain in abeyance till the conclusion of the inquiry.

The Court was hearing a writ petition filed by the teacher (Mohd. Anzar Ahmad) challenging the suspension order dated May 10, 2026, passed by the District Basic Education Officer, Sambhal.

As per the allegations, during the period when the petitioner was serving as In-charge Headmaster, students were performing Islamic prayers and were wearing uniforms indicating that they belonged to a "special community".

However, the petitioner claimed that he was on sanctioned medical leave during the relevant period and that the alleged activities did not take place during his tenure.

It was further submitted that the teacher was "never present during the prayer services" when the students allegedly carried out the activities in question.

It was contended that, even assuming he was the in-charge Headmaster at the relevant time, the allegations did not warrant a major penalty.

The state's counsel, on the other hand, submitted that, according to the official records, the petitioner was present at the prayer services where the students were performing Islamic prayers and wearing uniforms indicating that they belonged to a special community.

To refute these claims, the petitioner sought to refer to the record, which showed that he was admitted to the hospital during the relevant period.

The bench, however, declined to examine the merits of the charges at this stage. The bench said that the explanation and documents relied upon by the teacher could be raised as a defence during the departmental inquiry. The Court remarked thus:

"During the departmental enquiry, the petitioner shall have ample opportunity to prove his innocence".

Accordingly, the Court disposed of the writ petition with a direction that the inquiry initiated against the teacher be brought to its logical conclusion strictly in accordance with law at the earliest, preferably within 15 days.

Importantly, the Court directed that "Till conclusion of the inquiry, the impugned suspension order shall be kept in abeyance and shall abide by the final outcome of the inquiry".

The Court also directed that all relevant documents be provided to the teacher within three days.

Case Title - Mohd. Anzar Ahmed vs. Principal Secretary Basic Education And 4 Others 2026 LiveLaw (AB) 703

Case Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (AB) 703

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