Patna High Court
Rajkishore ThakurversusThat State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISPOSED
- Bench
- RAJIV ROY
Holding
The court held that the petitioner is entitled to a direction compelling the State Level Committee to dispose of the pending representation at the earliest.
Summary
Petitioner Rajkishore Thakur filed a writ petition seeking mandamus against the State Level Committee for Wood-Based Industries, Bihar, to dispose of his representation dated 5 February 2026 requesting transfer of License No. 51 of 1994 on the basis of sale, and also to compel the Licensing Officer to accept the renewal application and refrain from interfering with his saw‑mill operations. The State counsel raised no objection to the limited relief sought. The High Court held that the petitioner is entitled to a direction for the Committee to dispose of the pending representation and ordered the respondents to do so at the earliest. Consequently, the petition was disposed, allowing the petitioner to pursue his representation.
Issues considered
- Whether a writ of mandamus can be issued directing the State Level Committee for Wood-Based Industries, Bihar, to dispose of a pending representation concerning transfer of a wood‑based industry license.
- Whether the Licensing Officer can be compelled by mandamus to accept and renew the said license.
Subjects
- writ petition
- mandamus
- license transfer
- renewal of license
- wood-based industries
- forest department
- Bihar
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.2868 of 2026
======================================================
Rajkishore Thakur son of Nathuni Thakur, Resident of Village-Lakhnauri,
P.O.-Mohabbatpur, P.S.-Dewaria, District- Muzaffarpur (Bihar).
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. That State of Bihar through the Principal Secretary, Department of
Environment and Forest, Government of Bihar, Patna.
2. The State Level Committee for Wood-Based Industries, Bihar-Cum-
Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Bihar, Patna.
3. The Licensing Officer-Cum- Divisional Forest Officer, Tirhut Forest
Division, Muzaffarpur.
4. Sukhiya Devi @ Surati Devi, wife of Late Nathuni Thakur, Resident of
Village-Lakhnauri, P.O.-Mohabbatpur, P.S.-Dewaria, District- Muzaffarpur
(Bihar).
... ... Respondent/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Vinay Mistry, Advocate
For the Respondent/s : Mr. Government Advocate (02)
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJIV ROY
ORAL ORDER
2 30-04-2026 Heard Mr. Vinay Mistry, learned counsel for the
petitioner and the State.
2. The present petition has been preferred for the
following relief(s):
(I) For issuance of a writ in the nature of
mandamus directing the Respondent No.2-State
Level Committee for Wood-Based Industries, Bihar
to dispose of the representation of the petitioner
dated 05.02.2026 (Annexure-P-5) requesting
therein to grant approval to the Licensing Officer-
Patna High Court CWJC No.2868 of 2026(2) dt.30-04-2026
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Cum-Divisional Forest Officer, Tirhut Forest
Division, Muzaffarpur to transfer of License No. 51
of 1994 on the basis of "Sale" in terms of the Bihar
Wood-Based Industries (Establishment Regulation)
Act, 2025 and the aforesaid representation is still
pending for consideration before the State Level
Committee for Wood-Based Industries, Bihar,
Patna.
(ii) For issuance of a writ in the nature
of mandamus directing the Respondent No.3 to
accept the renewal application and to duly renew
the License No. 51 of 1994 in term of decision of
SLC dated 14.01.2025.
(iii) For issuance of a writ in the nature
of mandamus directing the respondent authorities
not to interfere with the operation of saw mill in
the facts and circumstances of the case.
(iv) For issuance of other writ (s),
order(s), direction(s) as your Lordships may deem
fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the
case.”
3. The petitioner has come before this Court wanting
Patna High Court CWJC No.2868 of 2026(2) dt.30-04-2026
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limited relief: for a direction upon respondent no. 2, The State
Level Committee for Wood-Based Industries, Bihar-Cum-
Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Bihar, Patna to dispose of
the representation dated 05.02.2026 preferred before it.
4. Learned State counsel has no objection to it.
5. In that background, the writ petition stands
disposed of allowing the petitioner to pursue the aforesaid
representation dated 05.02.2026 and the respondents are
directed to dispose it of at an earliest.
(Rajiv Roy, J)
Adnan/-
U
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