A complainant has no enforceable right to compel appointment of a Special Officer under Section 18-A.

The petitioner, claiming to be a founder-trustee of the Educational Agency that established Sambaviga Higher Secondary School and Sambaviga Nursery and Primary School, sought a mandamus directing the authorities to appoint a Special Officer to administer the schools.

He relied on alleged maladministration by the current management and Section 18-A.

The private respondents characterised the petition as arising from factional disputes and referred to related civil litigation and an earlier writ petition concerning approval of the School Committee.

The State submitted that appointment of a Special Officer was for the authorities to decide and could not be compelled by a rival faction.

Whether the petitioner had an enforceable legal right to compel the Government to appoint a Special Officer under Section 18-A on the basis of his complaint.

Whether the Government was required to act on the petitioner’s allegations of maladministration, or could decide whether those allegations warranted action under Section 18-A.

Section 18-A permits the Government, on being satisfied that a school’s management is responsible for maladministration, lapses or irregularities, or has neglected its duties or functions, to suspend the management and appoint a Special Officer as an interim measure for up to two years; action would normally be based on a report from the Director, though the provision also permits the Government to be satisfied “otherwise”.