MONIKA AND ORS vs MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF DELHI AND ORS

Judgment text excerpt

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Reserved on:10.11.2025 Pronounced on:12.12.2025 + W.P.(C) 15818/2025 & CM APPL. 64770/2025 MONIKA AND ORS .....Petitioners Through: Mr. Ranjit Sharma, Adv. versus MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF DELHI AND ORS .....Respondents Through: Dr. Divya Swamy, SC for MCD with Mr. Yagyawalkya Singh, Ms. Akriti Singh and Mr. Rishav Ranjan, Advs. for R1 & R2. Mrs. Avnish Ahlawat, SC with Mr. Nitesh Kumar Singh, Ms.Aliza Alam and Mr. Mohnish Sehrawat, Advs. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE NAVIN CHAWLA HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE MADHU JAIN JUDGMENT MADHU JAIN, J. 1. This petition has been filed, challenging the Order dated 29.07.2025 passed by the learned Central Administrative Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi (hereinafter referred to as, ‘Tribunal’) in O.A. No.32/2024, titled Monika & Ors. v. Municipal Corporation of Delhi & Ors., dismissing the O.A. filed by the petitioners herein. FACTS OF THE CASE 2. The petitioners were engaged as Contract Teachers (Primary) Signature Not Verified Signed By:RENUKA W.P.(C) 15818/2025 Page 1 of 11 NEGI Signing Date:15.12.2025 10:15:14 with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD)/respondent no.1 and had served for five or more years. Their contractual engagement came to an end in the year 2016, consequent upon the recruitment and appointment of regular teachers through the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB). 3. The MCD administers approximately 1,534 schools across Delhi, catering to nearly 8.34 lakh students. Under the Right to Education Act, 2009, the MCD is obligated to maintain a prescribed pupil–teacher ratio (PTR). Due to the shortage of regular teachers, the prescribed PTR could not be sustained at the requisite level. Therefore, the MCD, by its communication dated 05.06.2023, addressed to the Stat