The Odisha High Court on Wednesday slapped a stay on collection of the enhanced school fees by the Stewart School here after admitting a batch of writ petitions filed by some parents.
Justice Kumari Sanju Panda, dismissing the contentions of the school authorities, asked the latter to refrain from collecting the enhanced school fees from the students till the petitions are disposed of.
The court also asked the school authorities to refrain from taking any coercive actions against the students who have not paid the enhanced dues yet. It was alleged that the admit cards for the forthcoming Class X and Class XII examinations are not being issued to the students who have not paid the enhanced dues.
The court categorically asked the school authorities not to harass the students, who are going to appear at the school leaving examinations next month.
Resenting over the recent decision of the public school authorities to hike school fees exorbitantly, several parents have moved the court alleging that the school authorities are threatening to take coercive actions against the students, whose parents have not paid the enhanced fees.