Morning Star School in Dharavi faces ₹2.37 crore penalty for operating without authorisation; government warns of property liability | File Photo
Mumbai: Despite incurring a penalty of Rs 1 lakh and a daily fine of Rs 10,000—accumulating to Rs 2.37 crore—for operating without proper authorisation since 2018, Morning Star School in Dharavi has failed to make any payment. In a decisive move, the Maharashtra state government has now ordered that the total amount be entered as a liability on the school’s property card should the dues remain unsettled.
The penalty was imposed under provisions of the Right to Education (RTE) Act after it was revealed that the school had been functioning without requisite approval for over five years. Authorities have stated that if payment is not made, the liability record could lead to further legal action, including property attachment.
In Mumbai, such financial penalties are typically associated with unpaid property taxes or unauthorised constructions. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has the authority to impose a 200% penalty on unpaid property tax, along with a 2% monthly interest on overdue payments. However, this case stands out for being an RTE-related infraction, bringing additional scrutiny to the role of regulatory oversight in the private education sector.
Education activist Nitin Dalvi, who has been closely monitoring the case, criticised the initial delay in enforcement. “The School Education Department appeared reluctant to issue a penalty notice,” he said. “If one private school is fined under the RTE Act, then hundreds more operating without approval would also be liable. That’s precisely why there was hesitation—it would open the floodgates for wider accountability.”
Dalvi revealed that despite persistent follow-ups with the department over several months, he encountered evasive responses. “This is not just about one school—it’s about enforcing the rule of law across the board,” he added.
Morning Star School was one of 674 institutions identified by the state education department in 2023 for operating without proper authorisation. In February 2025, a formal order was issued directing the school’s closure, and legal proceedings were initiated. However, the school continued to admit new students and operate in defiance of official instructions.
Education Inspector (South), Devidas Mahajan, confirmed that the closure will take effect from the upcoming academic year. “Parents have been informed not to enrol their children in the school. All existing students—approximately 700—will be shifted to recognised schools nearby,” Mahajan said.
