Rishi Jha @ Rishi Jha Panda Jee v. The State Of Bihar

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA

Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.13365 of 2025 ====================================================== Rishi Jha @ Rishi Jha Panda Jee, male, age 45 Years, S/o- Late Gauri Shankar @ Gaurishankar Jha, R/o Dhubulia, P.O and P.S. Kusheshwar Asthan, District- Darbhanga, State Bihar.

... ... Petitioner

Versus

1.

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

The Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism, Government of Bihar, Patna.

3.

The Principal Secretary, Department of Art, Culture and Youth, Government of Bihar, Patna.

4.

The Bihar State Board of Religious Trusts, through its Chairman, Patna. 5.

The District Magistrate, District- Darbhanga, Bihar. 6.

The Officer-in-Charge Kuseshwar Asthan Police Station, DistrictDarbhanga, Bihar. ... ... Respondents ====================================================== Appearance :

For the Petitioner :

Mr. Abhigyan Kumar, Advocate For the Respondents :

Mr. Ganpati Prasad, Sr. Advocate with Mr. Saurabh Suman, Advocate ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE THE ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE and HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH KUMAR VERMA ORAL ORDER (Per: HONOURABLE THE ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE) 31-10-2025 As per the office note dated 30.10.2025, it has been pointed out that the defect was removed within one day beyond the period prescribed. Hence, the delay of one day in filing the case is condoned.

2. In the present writ petition, the petitioner has prayed for the following relief/s:

"(a) To issue an appropriate writ, order or direction in

Patna High Court CWJC No.13365 of 2025(2) dt.31-10-2025 2/3 the nature of mandamus commanding the Respondents to ensure protection, lawful administration, and complete transparency in the management of the religious shrine Baba Kusheshwar Asthan Mahadev Mandir, situated in Kuseshwar Asthan, District - Darbhanga, Bihar.

(b) To direct a CBI or Vigilance inquiry into the financial, administrative, and land-related affairs of the temple trust/committee for the period from 2013 to 2024.

(c) To direct a forensic audit and financial inquiry into the accounts, assets, income, and expenditures of the temple and its trust.

(d) To appoint an independent administrator or monitoring committee for overseeing the temple's management until legal compliance and transparency are ensured.

(e) To direct the authorities to initiate appropriate legal proceedings against any persons found guilty of misappropriation, embezzlement, land grab, or abuse of position.

(f) To safeguard the religious, cultural, and historical sanctity of the temple by issuing guidelines for its lawful and accountable functioning.

(g) To issue directions for compliance of this Hon'ble Court's order dated 23.07.2024 passed in C.W.J.C. No. 17322 of 2022 concerning management of religious trusts in Bihar."

3. Considering the relief sought for, the petitioner would be at liberty to approach respondent No.5 by filing a representation, who shall look into the grievance raised by the

Patna High Court CWJC No.13365 of 2025(2) dt.31-10-2025 3/3 petitioner and pass an appropriate order in accordance with law.

4. With the aforesaid observation, the present writ application stands disposed of.

(Sudhir Singh, ACJ) (Rajesh Kumar Verma, J.) Gaurav Kumar/- U