Dibrugarh: The dispute over Marwari Hindi High School and Shri Agrasen Academy has escalated, with the Dibrugarh administration ordering an inquiry, a court restricting withdrawals from the Marwari Education Foundation’s bank accounts and five office-bearers resigning.
Dibrugarh District Commissioner Bikram Kairi has constituted a four-member committee to examine issues concerning the management, land, finances, recognition and functioning of the two educational institutions and the Marwari Education Foundation.
The committee, headed by Sub-Divisional Officer (Sadar) Samujjwal Bora, includes Assistant Commissioner Kartikeya Kumar, the Circle Officer of Dibrugarh East Revenue Circle and Inspector of Schools Kabita Deka, who is also the member-secretary.
The committee has been directed to hear all stakeholders, examine relevant records and submit its report and recommendations within 30 days.
Its terms of reference include the PM POSHAN scheme, appointment and salaries of employees, minority status, government assistance, ownership and extent of land, title documents and permissions from competent authorities.
The panel will also examine educational board affiliation, No Objection Certificates and compliance with the Right to Education Act, 2009.
Meanwhile, the Civil Judge (Senior Division), Dibrugarh, has passed an interim order restraining the withdrawal, transfer or utilisation of funds from the bank accounts of the Marwari Education Foundation and its associated educational institutions.
The order was passed during the hearing of Misc. (J) Case No. 150/2026, filed by former foundation members Rajan Lohia and Arun Bagaria.
The court, however, permitted the payment of legitimate salaries of teachers and employees and electricity bills necessary for the uninterrupted functioning of the institutions.
The court also clarified that it has not, at this stage, reached any final conclusion on allegations of financial irregularities, misuse of funds or the validity of the authority of the office-bearers. The next hearing is scheduled for October 5, 2026.
Separately, Marwari Education Foundation secretary and trustee Mahabir Prasad Bagaria has submitted a complaint to the Dibrugarh Superintendent of Police and Sadar Police Station seeking registration of an FIR and an independent investigation into the CBSE affiliation process of Shri Agrasen Academy.
The complaint alleges that land-related facts were misrepresented during the affiliation process and that incorrect or forged documents and misleading declarations were allegedly used.
It claims that the academy had around 1.50 bighas of land at the relevant time, while applicable CBSE norms required a larger area.
The complaint further alleges that adjoining land used by Marwari Hindi High School was shown as land available for the academy.
It refers to a video recording of the Annual General Meeting held on March 10, 2022, and seeks examination of the recording along with the original CBSE application, land records, inspection reports and related correspondence.
The complaint also refers to a CBSE letter dated May 29, 2026, and seeks forensic examination of the video recording, if considered necessary.
The dispute has also led to the resignation of five office-bearers, including president Nirmal Beria and secretary Mahabir Bagaria.
A general meeting-cum-election of the Marwari Education Foundation had been proposed for October 4, 2026. However, with the court’s interim restrictions on the foundation’s financial transactions and the next hearing scheduled for October 5, the status of the proposed election remains uncertain.
The dispute now involves questions concerning land ownership, financial control, educational affiliation and the authority of the foundation’s management.
The administrative committee’s findings and the ongoing judicial proceedings are expected to provide further clarity on the issues concerning Marwari Hindi High School, Shri Agrasen Academy and the Marwari Education Foundation.