Rajiv Ranjan Singh v. The State Of Bihar

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA

Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.17291 of 2021 ====================================================== Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Son of Prabhunath Singh, Resident of VillageDamodarpur, Purab Tola, Near Mandir, Post- Sarai, Police Station- Sarai, District- Vaishali (Bihar) Pin- 844125.

... ... Petitioner/s

Versus

1.

The State of Bihar through the Chief Secretary, Government of Bihar, Main Secretariat, Patna- 800015.

2.

The Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism, Government of Bihar, Beerchand Patel Path, Patna- 800001.

3.

The District Magistrate (D.M.) District- Saran Collectorate Campus, Saran, Pin- 841301.

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

For the Petitioner/s :

Mr.Birendra Kumar, Advocate For the Respondent/s :

Mr. Ajit Kumar, GA-9 ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE and HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S. KUMAR ORAL JUDGMENT (Per: HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE) Date : 04-10-2021 Petitioner has prayed for the following relief(s):- "(i) To direct the concerned respondent to take necessary and immediate steps for opening of the annual cattle fair that titles to one of the biggest in Asia, the Sonepur Mela which provides employment to thousands of people for complete one month' period and due to Covid-19 pandemic all those people are on the verge of starvation.

(ii) To direct the concerned respondents to take immediate and necessary steps to open the Sonepur Mela

Patna High Court CWJC No.17291 of 2021 dt.04-10-2021 2/2 but by strictly following the S.P.O. (Standard Operating Procedure)."

During the current pandemic Covid-19, to hold or not to hold Mela, is a matter of policy decision, as such the Court cannot interfere, more so, direct the authority to hold the traditional fair commonly termed as "Sonepur Mela". The petition stands dismissed.

Interlocutory application, if any, stands dismissed. (Sanjay Karol, CJ) ( S. Kumar, J) Sujit/Rajiv AFR/NAFR CAV DATE Uploading Date 06.10.2021 Transmission Date