Allahabad High Court
NARESH KUMAR MISHRAversusUNION OF INDIA AND 2 OTHERS
- Decided
Holding
Decisions on train stoppages and granting station status are non‑justiciable policy matters and cannot be compelled by mandamus.
Summary
The petitioner, Naresh Kumar Mishra, filed a public interest litigation seeking a court direction for the Railways to declare a train stoppage at Block Hut Raipalpur and to grant it full station status and a ticket distribution centre. The petitioner alleged that despite representations to the Minister of Railways and a Member of Parliament, no action had been taken. The respondents indicated that a detailed report on the grievance had been requested but no further response was recorded. The Court held that decisions regarding train stoppages involve multiple policy considerations and are not subject to judicial review through mandamus. Consequently, the petition was dismissed for lack of justiciable issue.
Issues considered
- What is the appropriate judicial remedy, if any, for a public interest petition seeking a train stoppage and station status?
- Are decisions on train stoppages and station status justiciable or non-justiciable matters?
- Can a mandamus be issued to compel the Railways to declare a train stoppage?
Subjects
- Public Interest Litigation
- Mandamus
- Railway Policy
- Justiciability
- Administrative Discretion
- Train Stoppage
Judgment
HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD
PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION (PIL) No. - 1186 of 2026
Naresh Kumar Mishra
.....Petitioner(s)
Versus
Union of India and 2 others
.....Respondent(s)
Counsel for Petitioner(s) : Shailendra Kumar Ojha, Ashutosh
Mishra
Counsel for Respondent(s) : S.P. Singh (A.S.G.I.) with Vivek
Kumar Singh
Chief Justice's Court
HON'BLE ARUN BHANSALI, CHIEF JUSTICE
HON'BLE KSHITIJ SHAILENDRA, J.
1. This petition has been filed by the petitioner seeking a direction to the
respondents to declare a train stoppage at Block Hut Raipalpur and to
grant full-fledged Station status and Ticket Distribution Centre at the said
place.
2. A perusal of the petition indicates that on a representation made, the
Minister of Railways has indicated that a detailed report has been sought
in relation to the grievance raised/demand made. Whereafter,
representations made by the Member of Parliament regarding the said
issue have not been responded to or the petitioner is unaware of any
action pursuant thereto.
3. Filing of petitions in public interest, seeking a mandamus to the
Railways for the purpose of declaring a train stoppage etc., cannot be
countenanced, as the said decision is based on several factors which are
not justiciable.
4. In that view of the matter, we do not find any reason to entertain the
present petition. The same is therefore, dismissed.
(Kshitij Shailendra, J) (Arun Bhansali, CJ)
May 6, 2026
AHA/Sazia
Digitally signed by :-
AFZAL HUSAIN ABBASI
High Court of Judicature at Allahabad
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