Vikas Kumar Singh v. The State Of Bihar

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA

Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.4430 of 2025 ====================================================== Vikas Kumar Singh Son of Late Mundrika Singh Resident of Village South of D.V.C Colony New Yarpur P. S.- Gardanibagh, District- Patna. At Present A35, Balaji Smriti Kunj, Professor Colony, Shivpuri, P. S.- Shashtri Nagar, District District - Patna, Patna - 800023.

... ... Petitioner/s

Versus

1.

The State of Bihar through the Principal Secretary, Department of Information and Public Relation, Government of Bihar, Patna. 2.

The Hindustan Times Ltd. @ Hindustan Media Ventures Ltd. Regd. office at 18-20 Hindustan Times House, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi - 110001. 3.

The Chair Person cum Editorial Director, The Hindustan Times Ltd. 18-20 Hindustan Times House, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi - 110001. 4.

The Chief Executive Officer, The Hindustan Times Ltd. 18-20 Hindustan Times House Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi-110001. 5.

The Executive President, The Hindustan Times Ltd. Patna Edition, at Budha Marg, Patna-800001.

6.

The General Manager (HRD) The Hindustan Times Ltd. Patna Edition, at Budha Marg, Patna - 800001.

7.

The Resident Editor The Hindustan Times Ltd. Patna Division Budha Marg, Patna 800001.

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

For the Petitioner/s :

Mr. Jeetendra Narayan, Advocate Mr. Dhanesh Shankar Vidyarthi, Advocate For the Respondent/s :

Mr. Sushant Praveer, AC to SC-9 ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE DR. ANSHUMAN ORAL JUDGMENT Date : 24-03-2025 Heard Learned Counsel for the petitioner and Learned Counsel for the State.

2. The present writ petition has been filed for quashing the order dated 8th of September, 2000 issued by the

Patna High Court CWJC No.4430 of 2025 dt.24-03-2025 2/3 General Manager (HRD), the Hindustan Times Ltd. Patna Edition, whereby the service of the petitioner has been terminated.

3. Learned Counsel for the petitioner submits that petitioner was working as Sub-Editor in the Hindustan Times Limited in its Patna Establishment and his services had been terminated.

4. Learned Counsel for the State raised preliminary objection and submits that respondent No.2 is a private body and is not State as defined under Article 12 of the Constitution of India. Therefore, this writ petition is not maintainable.

5. After hearing the argument the petitioner submits that it is true that respondent organization is not coming within the purview of Article 12 of the Constitution of India.

6. In this view of the matter, this writ petition is not maintainable. However, there is special statue framed, namely, the Working Journalists and Other Newspaper Employees (Conditions of Service) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1955. This act has enacted to regulate certain conditions of service of working journalists and other persons employed in newspaper establishments. Here, in the present

Patna High Court CWJC No.4430 of 2025 dt.24-03-2025 3/3 matter Hindustan Times Limited @ Hindustan Media Venture Limited is a newspaper establishment and not a State under Article 12 of the Constitution of India. As such, the petitioner has only liberty to move, according to the provisions laid down under the said act, namely, Working Journalists and Other Newspaper Employees (Conditions of Service) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1955 (Notified in extraordinary Gazette of India as Act No.60 of 1955).

7. Accordingly, the writ petition stands dismissed.

(Dr. Anshuman, J) Mkr./- AFR/NAFR AFR CAV DATE NA Uploading Date 26.03.2025 Transmission Date NA