The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Municipal Commissioner, Chandigarh and the Chief Engineer, UT Chandigarh, to forthwith inspect the passage leading to a Government Model Middle School in Sector 13, Chandigarh, and take appropriate remedial measures if it is found that no proper road exists for students to access the school.

Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor noted, "The petitioner in this PIL alleges that young students have to travel through filthy dirt roads to access their school. Various photographs have been annexed, in order to show that there is no clear passage available to the students to access their school. In the facts of the case, we deem it appropriate to direct the Municipal Commissioner, Chandigarh as well as the Chief Engineer, Union Territory, Chandigarh, to get the passage inspected forthwith, and in the event it is found that there is no proper road available to the students to access their school, as is claimed in this PIL, then appropriate measures would be taken."

The Court directed that a status report be filed before the next date of hearing, and listed the matter for 09.10.2026.

The Public Interest Litigation was filed under Article 226 of the Constitution seeking directions for a safe, hygienic and secure environment for minor children studying at Government Model Middle School in Sector 13, Chandigarh, a co-educational institution running Classes I to VIII across two shifts, including an evening shift.

The petition alleged that the road adjoining and leading to the school was unpaved, uneven and steep, while the surrounding area suffered from overgrown vegetation, accumulated garbage, inadequate street lighting, and the presence of makeshift jhuggis/informal settlements. A drain/nallah was stated to be located approximately 50-60 feet from the school boundary wall, creating what the petitioner described as a cumulatively unsafe environment, particularly for children dispersing from the evening shift and during winter months. The petition also alleged continued dumping of waste in the area adjoining the school despite its proximity to the institution.

The petitioner had earlier issued a legal notice dated 09.03.2026 to the concerned authorities. In response, the School authorities acknowledged the existence of the unpaved road and drain, and stated that a request had been made to the Municipal Corporation for street lighting. Subsequently, vide communication dated 13.08.2026, the Engineering Department clarified that the relevant open area fell within the Municipal Corporation's domain, with the School's own jurisdiction confined to building works within its boundary wall. Despite this correspondence, the petitioner contended that the civic deficiencies persisted, as demonstrated by a site inspection conducted on 02.09.2026 and photographs annexed with the petition.

The petition sought joint, coordinated directions to the respondent authorities for inspection and demarcation of the area, improvement of the road, provision of adequate street lighting, removal of garbage and excessive vegetation, proper maintenance and safeguarding of the adjoining drain/nallah, and action against any encroachment or unauthorised occupation, so as to ensure safe ingress and egress for the schoolchildren.

DEIFY JINDAL v. UNION TERRITORY OF CHANDIGARH AND OTHERS

Ms. Geetika Sharma, Advocate, with Ms. Himanshi Gautam, Advocate, ar Ms. Drishti Saraf, Advocate

Mr. Jaivir Chandail, Advocate, with Ms. Ekakshra Mahajan Mandher, Advocate for the respondents.