Allahabad High Court
RAM RATANversusSTATE OF U.P. AND 4 OTHERS
- Decided
- Bench
- PRAKASH PADIA
Holding
The Court may issue a procedural direction to a military authority to decide a matter expeditiously, provided no legal impediment exists.
Summary
The petitioner, Ram Ratan, filed a writ petition seeking a directive that the Commandant of the 4th Battalion, P.A.C., Prayagraj (respondent No.5) decide on a letter dated 14 November 2025 issued by the Commandant of the 4th Battalion, P.A.C., Azamgarh (respondent No.4). The petitioner had earlier been asked to submit an explanation on 31 May 2025, which he complied with. The learned Standing Counsel for the respondents argued that the decision would be taken expeditiously, but the petitioner sought a specific time‑frame. The Court, after hearing counsel and reviewing the record, chose not to examine the merits of the underlying dispute. Instead, it ordered respondent No.5 to render a decision within four weeks of the certified copy of the order, provided no legal impediment exists. The petition was therefore disposed with a procedural direction to the military authority.
Issues considered
- Whether the High Court can direct a military commandant to decide a matter within a specified time‑frame without adjudicating the substantive merits.
Subjects
- writ petition
- procedural direction
- military authority
- expeditious decision
- High Court of Allahabad
Judgment
HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD
WRIT - A No. - 6788 of 2026
Ram Ratan
.....Petitioner(s)
Versus
State Of U.P. And 4 Others
.....Respondent(s)
Counsel for Petitioner(s) : Siddharth Khare, Sr. Advocate
Counsel for Respondent(s) : C.S.C.
Court No. - 6
HON'BLE PRAKASH PADIA, J.
1. The only prayer made by Sri Siddharth Khare, learned counsel for the
petitioner to direct the respondent No.5/Commandant, 4th Battalion
P.A.C. Prayagraj to take a decision on the letter dated 14.11.2025 written
by the respondent No.4/Commandant 4th Battalion P.A.C. Azmgarh copy
of the same is appended as Annexure No.15 to the writ petition as well as
letter dated 31.05.2025 by which petitioner was directed to submit his
explanation.
2. It is argued by learned Standing Counsel that respondent No.5 will take
a decision in the matter expeditiously.
3. Heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the record.
4. In the facts and circumstances of the case and without entering into
merits of the case, the present petition is disposed of directing
the respondent No.5//Commandant, 4th Battalion P.A.C. Prayagraj to take
a decision in the matter expeditiously and preferably within a period of
four weeks from the date of production of certified copy of this order
strictly in accordance with law unless there is no legal impediment.
(Prakash Padia,J.)
May 6, 2026
saqlain
Digitally signed by :-
SYED MOHAMMAD SAQLAIN HAIDER
High Court of Judicature at Allahabad
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