Vadodara: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has revoked the affiliation of a Atladara-based school with immediate effect due to an alleged land grabbing case involving 15 members of the company that operates the institution through its trust.

As a result, around 300 students of Tree House High School have been left in uncertainty following the CBSE’s action against Tree House Education and Accessories Limited, which runs the school through Meera Education Trust. The board cited violations of its Affiliation Bye-Laws, stating that the school/trust does not hold lawful ownership of the land and necessary infrastructure. The school administration has yet to respond to the development.

The CBSE’s notice, issued on March 8, came after the Vadodara City Detection of Crime Branch arrested two directors of Mumbai-based Tree House Education and Accessories Limited on March 3. The arrests were linked to allegations that the accused retained possession of the school property despite finalizing its sale with Ahmedabad-based Zebar Realty Ltd.

Following the withdrawal of affiliation, the school is barred from promoting students of lower classes. However, students in Class 10 and 12 are permitted to continue their studies at the same institution for the 2024-25 academic session. Meanwhile, students of Class 9 and 11 must transfer to nearby CBSE-affiliated schools by March 31, 2025. The CBSE has also prohibited the school from admitting new students until the affiliation is reinstated through the proper process.

The board further accused the school of violating multiple clauses of its Affiliation Bye-Laws by entering into unauthorized commercial agreements and transferring ownership of the school premises without approval. Two show-cause notices were sent to the school management in January and December 2024, seeking explanations and legal proof of land ownership. However, their responses were deemed unsatisfactory.

Advocate Hitesh Gupta, representing Zebar Realty, stated that his client had paid ₹18 crore for the deal and intended to continue operating the school but was allegedly deceived by Tree House Education. He emphasized that the irregularities were committed two academic years ago, impacting both his client and the education board.

The case stems from a complaint filed by Ahmedabad resident Ramesh Desai, leading to an FIR against directors of Tree House Education and Accessories Limited and Meera Education Trust. According to the FIR, despite finalizing the sale in February 2023, the accused failed to hand over peaceful possession of the property.

The accused, including several directors and trustees, have been booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for criminal breach of peace, breach of trust, cheating, and conspiracy, along with charges under The Gujarat Land Grabbing (Prohibition) Act, 2020. DeshGujarat