In Brief
The former managers of three aided private schools challenged the State of Kerala's takeover of their institutions under Section 15 of the Kerala Education Act, 1958. The managers argued that the schools had been closed before the formal notification of takeover was issued, and that the takeover violated property rights under Article 300A and was repugnant to the Land Acquisition Act, 2013. The Supreme Court dismissed the appeals, holding that the Government's satisfaction under Section 15 need only exist when the decision to takeover is made (when schools existed), not when the notification is later issued. The Court held that Section 15 and the 2013 Act operate in different fields and are not repugnant; compensation at market value was provided, protecting constitutional rights.
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