The Writ Court Was Not The First Door. Section 32 Says Where To Knock.
Four writ appeals about school grievances have been dismissed, the Court holding the Right to Education Act itself provides the route and the compensation had in any event been sanctioned.
The Court held that Section 32 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 provides the modality for redressing grievances relating to a child's rights, through the Local Authority — which the State has designated as the District Inspector of Schools for elementary schools. The Single Judge had rightly declined the writ petitions with liberty to approach that authority. The appeals were dismissed as devoid of merit.
- Section 32 is the designed route, and it exists precisely so grievances get decided close to the child.
- The District Inspector of Schools is the Local Authority for elementary schools in an education district.
- Liberty to approach was granted, so nothing was lost by the writ petitions failing.
- The compensation had already been sanctioned, on the Director of Secondary Education's affidavit.
- Court
- High Court of Orissa at Cuttack
- Citation
- W.A. Nos. 751, 752, 753 and 754 of 2015
- Case
- W.A. Nos. 751, 752, 753 and 754 of 2015
- Decided
- 2 September 2026
- Outcome
- Writ appeals dismissed; liberty to approach the Local Authority stands
What the Act provides
Section 32 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 provides a modality for the redressal of grievances relating to the rights of a child, by the Local Authority.
For the effective implementation of the Act's provisions and objectives, the State Government has designated the District Inspector of Schools as the Local Authority in respect of elementary schools belonging to an education district.
Why the appeals failed
The Single Judge, having not entertained the writ petitions, granted the petitioners liberty to approach the proper authority to ventilate their grievances.
Taking into consideration the documents enclosed with the writ appeals and the affidavit of the Director of Secondary Education affirming that the compensation amounts had already been sanctioned, the Court found no infirmity or illegality in the orders under appeal.
The writ appeals, being devoid of merit, were dismissed, with no order as to costs.
Who argued it
Appearances as recorded in the judgment of the Court.
Frequently asked
Where do I take a grievance under the Right to Education Act?
To the Local Authority under Section 32 — for elementary schools in Odisha, the District Inspector of Schools.
Can I go straight to the High Court?
The Court upheld the refusal to entertain writ petitions where the Act provides a modality, granting liberty to approach that authority.
Taking a school grievance to the right forum
- Identify the Local Authority notified for your district before filing anything; for elementary schools it is usually the District Inspector of Schools.
- Exhaust the Section 32 route, and keep the record of it, before approaching the writ court.
- Check whether the relief you seek has already been sanctioned administratively — it had been here.
- Where a writ is declined, secure liberty to approach the statutory authority in the order itself.
Source. High Court of Orissa at Cuttack, W.A. Nos. 751, 752, 753 and 754 of 2015, decided 2 September 2026 by . This explainer is written from the judgment text as reported.
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