Bengaluru: The Bengaluru police on Tuesday registered a first information report (FIR) against a private school on Gunjur Road for allegedly collecting admission-related fees from a parent by falsely claiming to have the required affiliations and government approvals to operate.

The case was registered at the Sarjapur police station based on a complaint filed by P Indu (35), a resident of Gunjur, who alleged that the school misled her while seeking admission for her seven-year-old daughter to Class 2.

Parent alleges misrepresentation by school

According to the FIR, Indu approached Euro School on November 8 to enquire about admitting her daughter for the upcoming academic year. She claimed that she was asked to pay ₹1,000 as an application fee, which she did, and subsequently submitted the completed application form.

Indu stated that during the counselling process, the school counsellor and principal assured her that the institution possessed all mandatory permissions, licences, and approvals from the education department to run the school. However, when she requested to verify these documents, the school authorities allegedly told her that the approvals would be shown only after the payment of admission fees.

Relying on the assurances given by the school management, Indu said she paid ₹25,000 online on the same day towards admission-related charges. Despite repeated requests, she claimed that the school failed to produce any documentary proof of its permissions or affiliations even after receiving the payment.

Complaints to education officials

Following the alleged refusal by the school to provide documents, Indu approached officials in the education department, including the local Block Education Officer (BEO) and the Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI). She claimed that despite submitting complaints, no immediate action was taken, prompting her to seek police intervention.

Vivekananda M, DDPI of Bengaluru South, told The Indian Express that he had reviewed the complaint and subsequently directed the police to register an FIR. “The school has not taken the necessary permission from the education department. I have also instructed the Anekal BEO to submit a detailed report in this regard,” he said.

School found operating without permission

Guru Murthy, Anekal DDPI, confirmed that a preliminary inquiry revealed that the school did not have the required approvals to function. “We found that the school did not have any permission to run. We have directed the management to withhold admissions and remove the boards displayed outside the school. In addition to the parent’s complaint, we have also filed a complaint with the police,” he said.

Education department officials said that running or advertising admissions without prior recognition and registration is a violation of norms laid down under the Karnataka Education Act. They added that such actions can mislead parents and put children’s education at risk.

Police action and legal provisions

A senior police officer said that the Sarjapur police have registered the case under Section 33 (registration of a recognised educational institution) of the Karnataka Education Act and Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property or valuable security.

“The woman is worried that her daughter’s education is in jeopardy. We have issued a notice to the school authorities, directing them to appear before the police along with all relevant documents,” the officer said, adding that further investigation is under way to determine whether other parents were similarly affected.

School responds to allegations

In response to queries from The Indian Express, Euro School issued a statement asserting that the necessary permissions and approvals are part of a defined regulatory process that is currently under way.

“We would like to reassure parents and stakeholders that all required permissions and approvals will be in place prior to the commencement of the academic session 2026–27,” the statement said. The school clarified that expressions of interest for admissions were being sought as part of its counselling process, which it claimed was in line with standard timelines followed across the education sector.

The statement further added, “This process helps parents understand the options available in choosing a direction for their children’s learning journey. We understand and appreciate parents’ concerns and are actively engaging with the concerned authorities to complete all formalities within the stipulated framework.”

Broader concern over private school admissions

The case has once again highlighted concerns surrounding private school admissions in Bengaluru, where several institutions begin issuing application forms and collecting fees months in advance. Education officials noted that while seeking expressions of interest is permitted, collecting substantial amounts or claiming recognition without approvals is not.

In many private schools across the city, admission applications for the next academic year were reportedly issued as early as October last year. Officials cautioned parents to verify the recognition status of schools with the education department before making payments.

Conclusion

The FIR against Euro School underscores the growing need for stricter monitoring of private educational institutions and greater awareness among parents. As the investigation progresses, authorities have reiterated that schools must obtain all mandatory approvals before collecting fees or admitting students, warning that violations will invite legal action to safeguard the interests of children and parents alike.