Rajeshwar Singh v. The State of Bihar
Case brief
What is this about?
Patna High Court CWJC No.4235 of 2026 (decided 17-04-2026, oral judgment per the Chief Justice, Sangam Kumar Sahoo, CJ, with Harish Kumar, J): dismissal of a PIL challenging the site of a new Primary School at Hasanpur/Aurangabad, Bihar. Key phrases: exclusive domain of the State Government in establishing and locating schools; 1.5 km school proximity is no violation of fundamental rights or the 'Right to Education' framework; site selection is an administrative decision not open to judicial scrutiny unless tainted by gross illegality or malice; judicial restraint in infrastructure development; no genuine public interest; no infringement of statutory or constitutional right; mandamus refused. Citable for the proposition that courts will not direct or veto State choices of location for public utilities/educational institutions absent clear illegality.
What did the court decide?
The establishment, location and infrastructure development of educational institutions fall within the exclusive domain of the State Government, whose authorities are best placed to assess the broader educational needs of a district.