Calcutta, May 12: The high court today issued an interim stay on an April 10 notification issued by the district inspector of schools in North Dinajpur, asking a school run by the RSS education cell Siksha Barati to close down with immediate effect.

The order could have far-reaching impact as the Mamata Banerjee government is purported to be planning to act against 130-odd academic institutions backed by the RSS education cell.

Moving the petition on behalf of Sharada Sishutirtha school in North Dinajpur's Kumardihi, advocate Loknath Chatterjee informed Justice Arijit Banerjee today that the institution had received a closure notification on April 10 from the district inspector of schools.

"In the said notification, the district inspector had announced that through an investigation, the education department had found that the institution does not have enough infrastructure. So, it would not be allowed to continue to hold classes," the lawyer said.

"The allegations against my client's institution were false. The school is very popular. It takes care of the students and provides enough academic facilities to them. Although the institution has fulfilled all criteria, the state authority has decided to close it. It is a vindictive attitude of the state education department," said Chatterjee.

The lawyer also pointed out that the state had decided to close all academic institutions run by Siksha Bharati.

"It is a politically motivated move. The court should prevent the government from taking such a step. Every one has the right to education..,"

The judge then asked the lawyer appearing for the state to file an affidavit stating why the government had taken the step and fixed the matter for hearing after the summer vacation that ends on June 6.

The judge primarily held that notification issued by the education department was contrary to the provisions laid down in the Constitution. "Till the court issues further order in the matter, the notification would remain stayed," said Justice Banerjee.