Justice Russia Appointed Administrative Judge of Principal Bench

The Allahabad High Court has delivered a major interim decision regarding the long-standing dispute over prestigious educational institutions in the city. The court ruled that the accounts of BHS and GHS will now be jointly managed by officers appointed by the Principal and the District Magistrate (DM).

To oversee the management of the schools, a former judge has been appointed as an observer. The court also directed that managerial disputes should be resolved through civil courts. This order was issued by a single bench of Justice Saurabh Shyam Shamsheri on petitions filed by the Allahabad High School Society and others.

The court stated that the accounts of CIPBC and CNI will be jointly operated by the respective Principal, DM, and Police Commissioner. The Allahabad High School Society runs two prominent institutions in Prayagraj: Boys High School & College and Girls High School & College. Control of these schools has been a subject of a long legal battle between CIPBC (Church of India, Pakistan, Burma & Ceylon) and CNI (Church of North India) factions, leading to petitions in the High Court.

To ensure smooth management, the High Court appointed former Justice Umesh Kumar as the observer. The observer has the right to inspect records and will ensure that a quarterly audit is conducted by an independent chartered accountant. Office space will be provided in both schools for the observer, and principals will provide necessary infrastructure and staff. Several pending petitions, including a group of 13 long-standing writ petitions, have been disposed of through this order.