Can it give back the son? Gujarat HC slams Seventh Day school over student's murder

Gujarat High Court on Thursday strongly criticised the former management of Seventh Day Adventist Higher Secondary School in Ahmedabad over lapses linked to a fatal student stabbing incident last year, describing the institution as a "money generating machine".

During the hearing, the court remarked that the management could have admitted incompetence and handed over control at the first sign of moral failing.

Addressing the school's advocate, the bench questioned whether monetary compensation to parents could ever restore lost dreams or bring back a child. "You can at best compensate the parents, but will you be in a position to relieve the dreams? Can it give back the son of someone? What about the dreams of parents?" the court observed.

The court emphasised that the unfortunate incident was entirely attributable to the then-school management, asking rhetorically why any parent would seek admission to a school only for their child to be stabbed.

The petitioner's lawyer informed the court that corrective measures have since been taken, including a change in principal.

The state government's counsel submitted that the District Education Officer (DEO) had reported all school fees being collected in cash, and authorities are still awaiting for account details despite demands. He defended the DEO's decision to assume management over a month ago and bar new admissions, stating, "Under the guise of running a minority institution, you cannot play with the lives of people."

The stabbing occurred on August 19, 2025, when a Class 10 student was allegedly fatally stabbed by a junior student following a dispute. The Gujarat government's decision in December 2025 to place the school under DEO administration while halting fresh admissions.

The matter is now adjourned for further hearing on February 10.