The High Court of Jharkhand issued directions to authorities for enhancing the facilities for pilgrims visiting the revered Maa Chhinnamastike Temple in Rajrappa, Jharkhand in a PIL filed by a devoted petitioner who sought improvements in the temple's amenities.
Brief Facts:
The petitioner filed the present Public Interest Litigation seeking directions to the authorities for allocating proper space and construction of toilets, changing rooms, bathrooms on both sides of the river Bhairavi (Bhera) at Rajrappa, Maa Chhinnamastike Temple and also to construct bathing ghats on both sides of river Bhairavi (Bhera) at Rajrappa, Maa Chhinnamastike Temple.
Contentions of the Applicant:
The learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner contended that the petitioner had no personal interest in the litigation but filed the present petition as the temple was of immense religious importance and it was necessary to provide facilities to the pilgrims, which were lacking. It was contended that there no proper facilities for washrooms and changing rooms nor there are proper bathing ghats, which caused inconvenience to pilgrims. It was further argued that there are no proper bathing ghats and the river bed is rocky, which causes problems during the rainy season when the water level rises and there is a high probability that accidents may happen while devotees take baths in the river.
Contentions of the Respondent:
The learned counsel appearing on behalf of the state contended that there were a sufficient number of toilets near the administrative blocks and two changing rooms were also proposed to be constructed. It was further contended that it is not possible to allow the petitioner or any private person to construct any bathrooms, toilets etc. without any prior permission from the Tourism Department. The respondents further denied that the devotees face difficulty in bathing as thousands of people take a bath in the river without any hesitation or difficulty. The respondents further stated that the District Administration was taking all steps and that more facilities, which were necessary shall be provided.
Observations of the Court:
The court referred to the photographs annexed by the petitioner and stated that the ghats of the river Bharavi on both sides are very crude and lacked basic facilities and the pathway is very narrow and crude. It was further stated that the riverfront of both the banks of river Bhairavi needs proper upgradation and beautification and a proper pathway needs to be constructed from the bathing ghats and river ghats leading to the temple without any hindrance or obstacles and the pathway should be wide enough and there were no proper bathing ghats also. The court referred to another photograph which showed sandbags being dumped on the river bed to make a makeshift ghat for bathing and stated that it was not proper and was unsafe.
The court further stated that it was not clear as to whether the washrooms outside the temple complex were sufficient or not and whether there is sufficient washroom facility outside the temple complex and it was clear from the photographs that the constructions were very poor the facilities were not sufficient and the washrooms were not maintained properly and though something had been done the District Administration, but the said facilities can not be said to be adequate for the devotees, who visit in huge numbers.
The court issued a number of directions to the Department of Tourism, the Government of Jharkhand, and the District Administration including constructing an adequate number of permanent proper bathing ghats on both sides of river Bhairavi, providing proper lighting facilities on both banks, maintaining the toilets and washrooms in queue complex and taking further steps as are conducive to beautify the temple complex and its surroundings including the riverfront.
The decision of the Court:
The writ petition in the nature of PIL was disposed of with directions.
Case Title: Sanjeev Kumar Singh vs. State of Jharkhand and ors.
Coram: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjaya Kumar Mishra and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ananda Sen
Case No.: W.P. (PIL) No. 6341 of 2022
Advocate for the Applicant: Mr. Bharat Kumar
Advocate for the Respondent: Mr. Yogesh Modi and Mr. Ankit Kumar
Read Judgment @LatestLaws.com
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