Pujya Bhadanta Harshbodhi, v. The State Of Bihar

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA

Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.2350 of 2025 ====================================================== Pujya Bhadanta Harshbodhi, Resident of C/o Umesh Yadav, New Tarodi, Bhagalpur, Bodhgaya, Bihar-824231.

... ... Petitioner/s

Versus

1.

The State of Bihar through the Chief Secretary, Government of Bihar, Patna. 2.

The District Magistrate, Collectorate Building, Bodhgaya, Bihar. 3.

The Executive Officer, Bodhgaya Nagar Parishad, Mahabodhi Temple Road, Bodhgaya, Bihar-824231.

4.

Secretary, the Mahabodhi Mahavihar Management Committee Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya, Bihar-824231.

... ... Respondent/s ====================================================== Appearance :

For the Petitioner/s :

Mr.Parth Sarthy, Adv.

For the Respondent/s :

Mr.Ramadhar Singh, G.P.-25.

====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJ KUMAR ORAL ORDER 08-07-2026

1. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned counsel for the respondents/State.

2. The present writ application has been filed alleging, inter alia, that the petitioner happens to be the President of two public trusts, namely, Dr. Ambedkar International Buddhist Parliament, registered vide PTR No. 486, and Mahabodhi Charitable Trust, registered vide PTR No. Mah. E-1278(N). It is further submitted that, on the occasion of Buddha Purnima (Vaishakhi Purnima) on 23rd May, 2024, four temporary welcome gates were erected on 17th May, 2024, one of which was situated near the Mahabodhi Mahavihar, opposite the BTMC Office, Bodhgaya. It is next submitted that the petitioner

Patna High Court CWJC No.2350 of 2025(2) dt.08-07-2026 2/2 incurred an expense of Rs. 20,450/- for constructing these welcome gates, which were an integral part of the event, but all of a sudden, on 21st May, 2024, without any prior notice and without any instruction or authorization, respondent no. 2 unlawfully demolished one of the welcome gates near the Mahabodhi Mahavihar.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that he has represented before the authorities, but no action whatsoever has been taken.

4. In the background of these facts, this Court thinks it proper to grant liberty to the petitioner to file a detailed representation before respondent no. 2 within a period of two weeks from today, and thereafter respondent no. 2 shall proceed to decide and dispose of the grievance of the petitioner by a reasoned order within a period of six weeks from the date of filing of such representation.

5. The application stand disposed of with the above said observations/directions.

(Raj Kumar, J) Nirmal/AKV U