In the Matter of Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation Vs the Union of India

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1

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2026:CGHC:11639-DB

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NAFR

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HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR

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WPPIL No. 94 of 2025

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1 - In The Matter of Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation Based on News Item Published in Daily News Paper, Dainik Bhaskar, Bilaspur Bhaskar, Bilaspur, Thursday, Dated 23.10.2025 Ye Sharmanak Hai- Photo Share Kar Khiladi Ne Likha- Khiladi Jis Boxing Ring Ki Puja Karte Hai, Use Khel Adhikariyo Ne Maykhana Bana Diya. Khel Adhikariyo Ne Boxing Ring Me Manaya Birthday, Sharab-Nonvej Ki Party Viral.

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... Petitioner

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versus

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1 - The Union of India Through The Secretary, Ministry of Railway, Rail Bhawan, New Delhi

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2 - South Eastern Central Railway (SECR) Through General Manager, (GM/SECR) New GM Building Bilaspur Zone, Bilaspur (C.G.)

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3 - Assistant General Manager, South Eastern Central Railway Bilaspur (C.G.)

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4 - Divisional Railway Manager, Bilaspur Division, Bilaspur (C.G.)

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5 - Incharge, Sport Cell, South Eastern Central Railway Zone, Bilaspur (C.G.)

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Digitally signed byMOHAMMED AADIL KHAN Date: 2026.03.12 19:43:05 +0530

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6 - Coach Sports Cell South Eastern Central Railway Zone, Bilaspur (C.G.)

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... Respondents

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2

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(Cause title taken from Case Information System)

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For Respondents : Mr. Ramakant Mishra, Deputy Solicitor General. For Interveners : Mr. Rajnish Singh Baghel, Advocate. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice

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Hon'ble Shri Ravindra Kumar Agrawal, Judge

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Order on Board

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Per Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice

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11-03-2026

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1 . This is an office reference.

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2 . This suo-moto public interest litigation petition has been registered on the basis of a news item published today in Hindi Daily, Dainik Bhaskar, with a heading “ [ksy vf/kdkfj;ks a us ckfDl a x fj a x es a euk;k cFkZ&Ms] 'kjkc ukuost dh ikVhZ ok;jy and sub-heading “ ;s 'keZukd gS] QksVks 'ks;j dj f[kykMh us fy[kk&f[kykMh ftl ckfDl a x fj a x dh iwtk djrs gS a ] mls [ksy vf/kdkfj;ks a us e;[kkuk cuk fn;k ”.

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3 . In compliance of this Court’s Order dated 15.12.2025 the General Manager, South East Central Railway, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh has filed affidavit dated 03.03.2026, relevant part of which is reproduced hereinbelow:-

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“2. That, it is most humbly and respectfully submitted that vide orders dated 23.10.2025, this Hon’ble Court while taking suo moto cognizance in news item namely “ [ksy vf/kdkfj;ks a us ckfDl a x fj a x es a euk;k cFkZ&Ms] 'kjkc ukuost dh ikVhZ ok;jy and sub-heading “ ;s 'keZukd gS] QksVks 'ks;j dj f[kykMh us fy[kk&f[kykMh ftl ckfDl a x fj a x dh iwtk djrs gS a ] mls [ksy vf/kdkfj;ks a us e;[kkuk cuk fn;k ” published in Hindi Daily News Paper Dainik Bhaskar, Bilaspur dated

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3

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23.10.2025, directed the respondent No. 2/General Manager, South East Central Railway, Bilaspur to submit a report in the form of a duly sworn personal affidavit indicating the outcome of enquiry and the action, if any, proposed or taken against the erring officials.

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That, in compliance of the order dated 23.10.2025, passed by this Hon'ble High Court, the deponent most respectfully submits that an affidavit had been filed on 30.10.2025 before this Hon'ble Court.

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4 . That, further in compliance of the order dated 31.10.2025, passed by this Hon'ble High Court, the deponent most respectfully submits that an affidavit had been filed on 12.12.2025 before this Hon'ble Court duly submitting that out of 12 officials-

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a) Major Penalty proceedings under the Railway Servants (Disciplinary & Appeal) Rules, 1968 have been initiated against 02 officials namely Shri Srikant Padhi and Shri Y.Nagu Rao and

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b) Disciplinary action of Minor Penalty proceedings under the Railway Servants (Disciplinary & Appeal) Rules, 1968 against 10 officials has been completed and punishment orders have been served to the 10 charged officials

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5 . That, it is most humbly and respectfully submitted that vide

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4

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order dated 15.12.2025, this Hon'ble Court directed the General Manager, South East Central Railway, Bilaspur to inform this Court bringing the same to its logical end, in the form of an fresh with regard to the progress/status of the enquiry against 02 officials namely Shri Srikant Padhi and Shri Y.Nagu Rao. Hence, the requirement of this affidavit.

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6 . That, it is most humbly and respectfully submitted that, the disciplinary action of Major Penalty proceedings under the Railway Servants (Disciplinary & Appeal) Rules, 1968 against 02 officials namely Shri Srikant Padhi and Shri Y.Nagu Rao has been completed and Major Penalty punishment orders have been served to the charged officials. A copy of order imposing punishment in Major Penalty is annexed herewith as Annexure R/1 Colly .

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7 . That, on the basis of the aforementioned facts and circumstances of the case, the answering respondent No. 02, has highest regard to the directions/orders passed by this Hon'ble Court and is always bound to honour the Hon'ble Court's order.

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8 . That, it is most humbly and respectfully submitted that, in the light of above submissions made hereinabove, this Hon'ble Court may graciously be pleased to drop the proceedings in the aforesaid Public Interest Litigation (PIL), in the interest of justice.”

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4 . Learned counsel for the respondents states that major penalty has been awarded to two delinquent employees, namely, Shri Srikant Padhi and Shri Y.Nagu Rao.

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5 . Learned counsel for the interveners states observation may be made that against the major penalty issued the delinquent employees will be at liberty to file appeal against the imposition of major penalty.

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6 . On the above submission made by learned counsel for the interveners, Mr. Ramakant Mishra, the learned counsel for Union of India/respondents states that the remedy which is available to the concerned delinquent employees they may avail the same and no direction is required by this Court for the same.

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According to the learned counsel for the respondents, all the necessary actions have been taken by the respondents against the responsible officials/employees with respect to the news item published, in compliance of directions issued by this Court.

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In view of the above submission made by learned counsel for the respondents, no further direction is required to be passed by this Court in the matter and as such, this case is consigned to records.

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Sd/-

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Sd/-

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(Ravindra Kumar Agrawal) (Ramesh Sinha) Judge Chief Justice

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Aadil

In the Matter of Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation v. the Union of India

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In the Matter of Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation v. the Union of India

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