New Delhi: Directorate of Education (DOE) has issued a final notice ordering the closure of the Institution for the Blind on Panchkuian Road, citing its unrecognised status and safety concerns. The institution, meanwhile, defended itself, stating it cannot provide land ownership papers since none were issued when it was established before Partition and relocated to Delhi in 1947.

The notice, dated Sept 20, states that the institution is operating in violation of the Right to Education Act, 2009, and the Delhi School Education Act, 1973, and orders the management to immediately cease all academic and residential activities.

The institution has been given two weeks to submit a compliance report, failing which penal proceedings including fines up to Rs 1 lakh and Rs 10,000 per day will be imposed for continued violations.

DOE pointed out that the institution has been functioning without recognition despite repeated reminders since 2019. A National Human Rights Commission fact-finding report also flagged inadequate infrastructure and raised concerns about minors being housed with adults, calling it a “grave risk” to students.

In response, the institution denied the allegations and said recognition has been held up only because of land ownership papers that it cannot produce. “The land—on which the school is situated—was allotted in 1948 following the advice of Mahatma Gandhi and under the supervision of General Cariappa. Since the school was founded before Partition and relocated to Delhi in 1947, no title documents were issued. We have repeatedly requested the DOE to waive the land documentation requirement and grant us official recognition,” the management said.

Jai Prakash Sharma, office secretary of the institution, said the school has submitted multiple applications for recognition along with inspection reports and clearances, holding health and water certificates, registration under the Societies Act and clearance from the Department of Social Welfare under the Persons with Disabilities Act. “We are compliant with all requirements except land papers, which are beyond our control. Closing the school will directly harm the visually impaired children who depend on it,” he added.

The institution currently provides free education, boarding and training to over 100 visually impaired students and is listed in the Limca Book of Records as the oldest blind school in India.