Keshav Kumar Jha Vs The State of Bihar

Appearance : For the Petitioner : Mr. Prafull Chandra Jha, Advocate Mr. Avinash Chandra, Advocate Mr. Akshansh Ankit, Advocate For the Respondents : Mr. P.K. Shahi, Advocate General For Respondent Nos.7 to 11 : Mr. Kalyan Shankar, Advocate ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE THE ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE and

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HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH KUMAR VERMA ORAL ORDER

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(Per: HONOURABLE THE ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE)

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4 09-12-2025 The present writ application has been filed in the form

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of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) for the following reliefs:

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“ (a) For a direction upon the Respondent Authorities to strictly enforce the circular dated

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Patna High Court CWJC No.14954 of 2025(4) dt.09-12-2025 2/6

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15.02.2019 prohibiting judicial officers of the subordinate judiciary from displaying name plates, placards, or designations on private vehicles, and to initiate disciplinary action against violators.

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(b) For a direction to the Traffic Authorities (Respondents No. 5 and 6) to ensure uniform application of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and traffic/parking rules to vehicles owned by judicial officers, without any exemptions based on displayed designations, and to take immediate action on constant violations.

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(c) For issuance of a writ in the nature of mandamus directing the Respondents to conduct awareness programs or issue fresh reminders through the Bihar Judicial Academy to reinforce judicial ethics, humility, and adherence to codes of conduct, preventing misuse of power that erodes public trust in the judiciary.

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(d) To pass any other order/orders in shape of a consequential relief to which the petitioner may be found to be legally entitled to in the facts and circumstances of the instant case at hand. ”

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It may be pertinent to take note of the counter affidavit filed on behalf of Respondent Nos.2 and 3. The following statements have been made in paragraph nos.5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the said counter affidavit:-

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“ 5. That it is needful to state that the Hon'ble Apex Court in writ petition (Civil) No. 643 of

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Patna High Court CWJC No.14954 of 2025(4) dt.09-12-2025 3/6

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2015 has directed "The judicial officers shall be permitted to exhibit a sticker at their option on the lower left side or the windscreen with inscription 'Judge' printed in moderately seized letters".

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6. That the Law Department vide Letter No. 2498 dated 12.04.2024 has informed the Transport Department regarding the use of the sticker 'Judge' on the private vehicles and for needful action in the matter. Further, the Memo No. 3968 dated 12.04.2024 issued by the Finance Department along with provision made under Para 3(v) (f) of the Resolution contained in Letter No. 2140 dated 28.02.2024 has also been sent along with the said Letter No. 2498 dated 12.04.2024.

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7. That the Secretary, Transport Department, Bihar, Patna vide Letter No. 8316 dated 12.06.2024 has requested the Secretary-cumLegal Remembrancer, Law Department, Bihar that in light of the order passed by the Hon'ble Apex Court, the Finance Department has made provision under Para-3(v)(f) of Resolution No. 2140 dated 28.02.2024 and that necessary guidelines shall be issued to the Transport Department in this regard. The design of the sticker has been made and approved by the Hon'ble Minister, Transport Department and NOC has been issued by the Finance Department. It has been suggested to take approval from the Law Department/Hon'ble Patna High Court. Thus, request has been made

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Patna High Court CWJC No.14954 of 2025(4) dt.09-12-2025 4/6

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to give consent in the matter.

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8. That the Law Department vide Letter No. 3832 dated 19.06.2024 has requested the Registrar General, Hon'ble Patna High Court for taking consent/direction from the Hon'ble Court regarding the sticker design of 'JUDGE' received from the Transport Department so that further action is taken in this regard.

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9. That the Registrar General, Hon'ble Patna High Court vide Memo No. 57560, dated 23.07.2024 has informed the Secretary, Law Department, Government of Bihar that the sticker design of 'JUDGE' which shall be displayed on the vehicles of the Judicial Officers has been approved with certain modifications by the Hon'ble Court. The manner and the size of the plate along with necessary details to be incorporated has been mentioned in the said letter.

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10. That accordingly, the Transport Department, Bihar, Patna vide Letter No. 9660 dated 09.08.2024 has sent it to the Registrar General, Hon'ble Patna High Court, fixing the design of the stickers in the light of the directions/modification made in this regard. The size of sticker will be 8 cm X 12 cm and 'Judge' shall be written in red colour on white background. The border should be in red colour. Further, information like-Vehicle No., Issuing Authority and Date of Issuance shall be mentioned. The sticker shall be made and issued from the office of the Registrar General,

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Patna High Court CWJC No.14954 of 2025(4) dt.09-12-2025 5/6

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Hon'ble Patna High Court. ”

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The Registrar General, Hon’ble Patna High Court

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has already issued necessary directions vide Letter No.57559 dated 23.07.2024, which is reproduced herein below:-

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“To

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The Secretary,

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Law department, Govt. of Bihar

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Sub. Regarding finalization of the Sticker describing “JUDGE” for the private vehicle of the Judicial Officers.

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Sir,

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With reference to your letter dated 19.06.2024 on the subject noted above, where a sticker design was submitted to this Court describing “JUDGE” written with blue font on a white background sized 8 cm X 12 cm, I am directed to say that this Court have been pleased to approve your sticker with following modification:-

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1. The font size of the letters and colours shall be Red instead of Blue and sticker design to describe Judge in capital letters like “JUDGE” instead of small.

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2. The said sticker shall also incorporate necessary details of the vehicle, issuing authority and date in the footnote.

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Yours faithfuly, Sd/- P.K. Malik Registrar General

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Memo No. 57560 Dated/Patna the 23^rd July 2024

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Copy forwarded to Secretary, Transport Department, Govt. of Bihar, Patna with reference to its letter no. 8316 dated 12.06.2024 for information and needful action.

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Sd/-

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Registrar General”

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In pursuance of the aforesaid communication, the

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Patna High Court CWJC No.14954 of 2025(4) dt.09-12-2025 6/6

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Transport Department, State of Bihar has also issued Letter no. 06/V. (Sticker)-10/2024 dated 09.08.2024 to give effect to the approved design.

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Considering the aforesaid communications and the fact that the necessary steps have already been taken by the authorities concerned, we find that no further order is required to be passed in the present writ application.

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