Patna High Court
Pahchan KumarversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISPOSED
Holding
The Court held that the petition neither raises a public interest matter nor alleges any violation of law, and therefore dismissed it.
Summary
Pahchan Kumar filed a public interest litigation seeking a writ of mandamus directing the Chief Secretary of Bihar to ban the use of deity images on polybag packaging, alleging that such use dishonours deities when the bags are discarded as waste. The petitioner argued that the representation dated annexure P‑1 should be acted upon. The Court examined whether the petition raised a genuine public interest issue or alleged any violation of law. It found that the petition did not demonstrate any public interest concern nor any breach of any statutory provision. Consequently, the Court dismissed the petition for lack of merit.
Issues considered
- Does the petition raise a public interest issue warranting judicial intervention?
- Is there any violation of any statutory provision that justifies the issuance of a writ of mandamus?
- Can the Court direct the State to ban the depiction of deities on polybag packaging?
Subjects
- public interest litigation
- writ mandamus
- religious sentiment
- packaging
- environmental waste
- jurisdiction
- dismissal
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.3777 of 2026
======================================================
Pahchan Kumar S/O Kailash Paswan, Resident- Mirzaganj, Jamui District-
Jamui- 811301.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar through the Chief Secretary, Government of Bihar, Patna.
... ... Respondent/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Ms. Rashmi, Advocate
For the Respondent/s : Mr. P.K. Shahi, Advocate General
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE
and
HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HARISH KUMAR
ORAL ORDER
(Per: HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE)
2 18-03-2026 Heard the learned Advocate for the petitioner and the
learned Advocate for the respondents.
2. The instant public interest litigation has been filed
for the following reliefs:-
“(i) Issuance of writ mandamus for
directing respondent that is the chief
secretary, Government of Bihar to
dispose of the representation dated as
contained in annexure P-1 by which
the petitioner prays to the respondent
authority to ban the picture of deities
upon polybag bag of paper upon
goods rapper and after using its either
poly bag or other articles useably put
in garbage due to this our deities are
being dishonoured.
(ii) The petitioner also prays for the
issuance of writ/writs,
direction/directions, order/orders in
Patna High Court CWJC No.3777 of 2026(2) dt.18-03-2026
2/2
his favour in the fact and
circumstances of this case.”
3. After hearing the learned counsel for the petitioner
we find that there is no element of public interest is involved
this matter and there is no averment as per which it is found that
there is any kind of violation of any act or rules.
4. This Court does not find any reason or occasion to
entertain the present application; accordingly the same stands
dismissed.
(Sangam Kumar Sahoo, CJ)
(Harish Kumar, J)
supratim/-
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