Banka school land: HC seeks affidavit

PATNA: A division bench of Patna high court comprising Chief Justice L Narasimha Reddy and Justice Sudhir Singh, while hearing a PIL on Monday in a matter related to distribution of land of Dumrama High School in Banka district among Mahadalits directed the state government to file a detailed counter-affidavit.
The court also directed the BDO concerned to maintain status quo and said he would be responsible if the court order was not complied with in toto.The court also observed that the condition of schools in Bihar is worsening. “The playgrounds have been converted into grazing grounds,” the court stated. The matter will again be heard on May 4.
Taking suo motto action on a newspaper report about the transfer of land of Dumrama High School, the court turned it into a PIL. The report said the school was established in 1883 and is a reputed one since British rule.
The Patna high court had, on April 13, passed an order that the government shall not allot, transfer or part with any land held by or earmarked for any public institution of whatever description and the DM Banka shall submit a report.