Dehli: The capital’s prestigious St Columba’s School, alma mater to none other than Shah Rukh Khan and Rahul Gandhi, is currently imbroiled in controversy.

With effect from April next year, its recognition has been withdrawn for allegedly diverting funds to the parent body that runs the school Delhi Education Directorate. Unless an offer is made by the school to the directorate to rectify the mistake or appeal to the Delhi lieutenant governor, it highly unlikely the de-recognition order will be revoked.

According to directorate officials, the school has diverted Rs1.83 crore, which had been raised as school fees, to its parent body.

a notice was served on the school by The directorate which was dated May 24, 2006 and states the recognition of the school stands withdrawn with effect from April 1, 2007.

“In September 2005, we found that the school had been diverting funds to the Congregation of Christian Brothers of India.

"There was also a letter in which the body had raised a demand for 12 per cent of the fee collected annually. Although the school has not denied this, there is no record of how the money has been utilised,” said an education department official.

Officials said the school was given until next year to ensure that students did not suffer. In addition, "the school was given an opportunity to rectify its mistake".

Officals say three notices were sent to the school asking for an explanation, but the school has not responded any of them. "We had also asked them to revert the funds back to the school's account, failing which their recognition would be withdrawn," an official said.

Seemingly, in 2002-03, the school diverted Rs 53 lakh to the congregation. In 2003-04, another Rs 71 lakh was diverted to the parent body. In 2004-05, the school diverted Rs 59 lakh.

"Despite this, the school reported a surplus of Rs 59 lakh in 2002-03, Rs 43 lakh in 2003-04 and Rs 68 lakh in 2004-05. This means, the fee it charged from students was far beyond its requirement," said the official.

While the Delhi School Education Act allows the management committees of schools to use its funds to set up another school, a 1999 HC order had put a hold on the diversion of money raised as fee to another body, be it the parent society, or another school.

Following the court order, the education department had issued a directive to all city schools to this effect.

Meanwhile, the news of derecognition has shocked students. "After derecognition what would happen to us? We will have to look for another school," said Aakash Srivastava, a class IX student. His father is concerned as well. "Getting admissions nowadays is so difficult, where would my son go?" said his father, Sanjeev Srivastava.

School principal Brother PC Christopher was not available for comment despite repeated attempts to contact him.