New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday sought responses from the Delhi government and a body of unaided private schools in the national capital on a plea alleging a 100 percent fee hike without approval from the Directorate of Education (DoE).

The top court was informed by the counsel for petitioner Naya Samaj Parents Association that schools received land at concessional rates from the Delhi government on the condition that any fee hike must be approved by the DoE.

"How do you overcome this?" a bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran asked counsel representing the respondent, Action Committee of Unaided Recognised Private Schools.

The bench issued notices to the BJP-led city government and the organisation of private schools on the plea. It noted submissions that Delhi Public School (DPS), Dwarka, had been penalising around 30 students for not paying the increased fees by making them sit in the library instead of their classrooms.

"How can you do this?" the CJI asked, directing that the students be allowed to attend classes. A senior advocate appearing for the school assured the bench that this would not happen.

The bench has posted the plea for further hearing after four weeks. Earlier, the Delhi High Court had expressed dismay at DPS Dwarka's alleged conduct of engaging "bouncers" to physically block certain students from entering the institution over a fee dispute.