Won’t interfere with States’ decisions on school reopening: Supreme Court [21.9.2021]

20.9.2021, Monday, New Delhi

The Supreme Court on Monday said the judiciary will not interfere with State governments' decision when or not to open schools.

A Bench of Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and B.V. Nagarathna said the decision to open schools is entirely that of individual States and the court will not "queer the pitch".

The judiciary has neither data nor the expertise to pass "omnibus" directions to States to open schools and resume physical classes especially when the lives of children are at stake.

"Governments have to tread with the greatest care when opening schools and exposing children to the virus... If so, the courts have to take greater care, that too, with no data at hand," Justice Chandrachud observed.


21 Sep 2021