Patna High Court
Laddu SahaniversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISPOSED
Holding
The petition lacks locus standi and public interest, and therefore the writ petition is dismissed.
Summary
The petitioner, Laddu Sahani, filed a public interest writ seeking a mandamus directing the State of Bihar and the National Thermal Power Station (NTPC) Kanti to investigate the death of laborer Sunil Paswan, alleging negligence, lack of safety measures, and failure to file a police report or conduct a post‑mortem. The petition also demanded action against NTPC officials and contractors for employing unskilled labor and unsafe practices. The NTPC counsel submitted that a compensation of Rs. 9 lakh had already been paid to the deceased’s family and that the family had not approached the court with any grievance. The Court examined whether the petitioner had locus standi and whether the matter qualified as a public interest litigation. Finding no public interest and no material basis for the petition, the Court held that the writ petition was not maintainable. Consequently, the petition was disposed of without any order of costs.
Issues considered
- Does the petitioner have locus standi to file a writ petition on behalf of the deceased laborer?
- Can the Court issue a mandamus directing an inquiry and action against NTPC and its officials?
- Does the case constitute a public interest litigation warranting judicial intervention?
Subjects
- public interest litigation
- mandamus
- locus standi
- occupational safety
- negligence
- compensation
- civil writ jurisdiction
- labour law
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.20935 of 2025
======================================================
Laddu Sahani Son of Ramji Prasad Sahni, Resident of Village- Soti Bheriahi,
Bakhri, P.S. Kanti, District- Muzaffarpur.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The State of Bihar through the Chief Secretary, Government of Bihar, Patna.
2. The Secretary, Labour Resources Department, Government of Bihar, Patna.
3. The District Magistrate, Muzaffarpur, District- Muzaffarpur.
4. The Senior Superintendent of Police, Muzaffarpur, District- Muzaffarpur.
5. The District Labour Officer, Muzaffarpur, District- Muzaffarpur.
6. The District Transport Officer, Muzaffarpur District- Muzaffarpur.
7. The State Head Officer, Kanti Police Station, District- Muzaffarpur.
8. The National Termal Power Station, Kanti, Muzaffarpur District-
Muzaffarpur through the Project Head.
9. The Project Head, The National Thermal Power Station, Kanti, Muzaffarpur
District- Muzaffarpur.
10. The Assistant General Manager, The National Thermal Power Station, Kanti
Muzaffarpur, District- Muzaffarpur.
11. The Assistant General Manager (Human Resources), The National Thermal
Power Station, Kanti, Muzaffarpur, District- Muzaffarpur.
... ... Respondent/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Santosh Kumar
For the Respondent/s : Mr. P.K. Shahi, Advocate General
Mr. Vikas Kumar, Advocate
Mr. Amish Kumar, Advocate
For the NTPC : Mr. Amaresh Kumar Sinha
Mr. Vaibhav Narayan
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE
and
HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SUDHIR SINGH
ORAL JUDGMENT
(Per: HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE)
Date : 09-01-2026
This writ application in the nature of Public Interest
Litigation has been filed by the petitioner Laddu Sahani with
following relief(s):
“(i) For issuance of an appropriate
Patna High Court CWJC No.20935 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026
2/3
writ in the nature of MANDAMUS
commanding and directing the
Respondent 1st set to make enquiry
about the death of Sunil Paswan son of
Lala Paswan, resident of Village-
Bhaisaha, P.S. Kanti, District –
Muzaffarpur by falling the soil during
the course of discharging the work of
labourer due to negligence on the part
of the Respondent 2nd set and without
lodging any U.D. Case in the Kanti
Police Station as well as without
conducting any post-mortem of the
deceased Sunil Paswan, the Respondent
2nd set disposed of the dead body and
closed the matter.
(ii) For issuance of an appropriate writ
in the nature of MANDAMUS
commanding and directing the
Respondent Authorities to take suitable
action against the erring persons of the
NTPC administration on whose
negligence such type incident had been
taken place since the works are being
taken by the NTPC administration from
the outsider as well as unskilled labour
through the contractor as also the
labourers were not provided safety
materials and the unregistered vehicles
are being used in mining work.
(iii) For issuance of any other
appropriate writ/writs, order/orders,
direction/directions for which the writ
petitioner shall be found entitled under
the fact and circumstances of the case.”
Patna High Court CWJC No.20935 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026
3/3
2. The learned counsel appearing for the NTPC
submits that for the death of the labour Sunil Paswan
compensation amount has already been paid. It is pointed out
from paragraph no.9 of the petition that total Rs. 9 Lacs.
compensation has been paid to the family members of the
deceased. He further submits that the family members are not
coming up to this Court raising any grievance against the death
of the labour and the petitioner has no locus to file such a
petition without any cogent material and without any basis.
3. In view of such submission, we find that there is no
public interest involved in this case and it appears to be a
personal interest litigation of the petitioner. We were
contemplating to impose cost on the petitioner, but with all
caution, we are refraining from passing any such order and
accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of.
4. Interlocutory application(s), if any, shall stand
disposed of.
(Sangam Kumar Sahoo, CJ)
( Sudhir Singh, J)
shailendra/-
AFR/NAFR
CAV DATE
Uploading Date 12.01.2026
Transmission Date NA
Checking your session…