FIR Registered Against Chunabhatti School For Reopening Illegally
An unrecognized school in Chunabhatti, Mumbai, illegally resumed physical classes on July 1 under a new name, despite a closure notice from the education department. More than 400 students returned to the Orchid International School premises, which is now operating as 'The Institute of Learning and Education' without the mandatory state recognition.
The original signboard of Orchid International School has been blacked out. A notice posted at the entrance now warns that the school is unrecognized and advises parents against admitting their children. Students from Nursery to Class 10 were seen leaving the premises on Wednesday afternoon, with several wearing casual clothes and others wearing last year's uniforms and carrying old identity cards.
Education Inspector Mushtaq Shaikh stated that the school cannot receive recognition without an Occupation Certificate (OC). He confirmed that an FIR has been registered against the school for continuing to operate illegally after the closure notice was issued.
The institution has already paid a penalty of ₹1 lakh. Shaikh added that officials will conduct another inspection to verify if classes are continuing. If found operational, the school faces an additional penalty of ₹10,000 per day.
The school administration claimed that operations had resumed by accommodating students at other branches, including Kurla and Mulund. A representative stated that students visiting the Chunabhatti building were doing so for "other purposes." The representative added that the branch had received a Letter of Intent and its file seeking formal recognition was forwarded to the state government for approval.
Parents reported they were instructed to send their children in casual clothes and change the branch listed on the school’s mobile application from Chembur to Mulund. Some parents raised safety concerns about students travelling without uniforms and carrying identity cards from a different branch.
Other parents alleged that the school collected fees for June despite remaining closed, and charged for extracurricular activities that were not conducted. Many have found it difficult to secure admissions elsewhere because other schools refuse Orchid students or demand high admission fees.
