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Chattisgarh High Court
In The Matter Of Suo Moto Public Interest ... vs The Union Of India on 11 March, 2026
Author: Ramesh Sinha
Bench: Ramesh Sinha
1
2026:CGHC:11639-DB
NAFR
HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR
WPPIL No. 94 of 2025
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.
... Petitioner
versus
1 - The Union of India Through The Secretary, Ministry of Railway, Rail
Bhawan, New Delhi
2 - South Eastern Central Railway (SECR) Through General Manager,
(GM/SECR) New GM Building Bilaspur Zone, Bilaspur (C.G.)
3 - Assistant General Manager, South Eastern Central Railway Bilaspur
(C.G.)
4 - Divisional Railway Manager, Bilaspur Division, Bilaspur (C.G.)
5 - Incharge, Sport Cell, South Eastern Central Railway Zone, Bilaspur
(C.G.)
Digitally signed by
MOHAMMED
AADIL KHAN
Date: 2026.03.12
19:43:05 +0530
6 - Coach Sports Cell South Eastern Central Railway Zone, Bilaspur
(C.G.)
... Respondents
(Cause title taken from Case Information System)
For Respondents : Mr. Ramakant Mishra, Deputy Solicitor General.
For Interveners : Mr. Rajnish Singh Baghel, Advocate.
Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice
Hon'ble Shri Ravindra Kumar Agrawal, Judge
Order on Board
Per Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice
11-03-2026
1. This is an office reference.
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;ksa us ckfDlax fjax esa 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 ckfDlax fjax dh iwtk djrs gSa] mls [ksy vf/kdkfj;ksa us e;[kkuk cuk fn;k".
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:-
"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;ksa us ckfDlax
fjax esa 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 ckfDlax fjax dh iwtk
djrs gSa] mls [ksy vf/kdkfj;ksa us e;[kkuk cuk fn;k" published in Hindi
Daily News Paper Dainik Bhaskar, Bilaspur dated
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.
3. 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.
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-
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
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
5. That, it is most humbly and respectfully submitted that vide
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
Sd/- Sd/-
(Ravindra Kumar Agrawal) (Ramesh Sinha)
Judge Chief Justice
Aadil
