Krishna Pada Das And ANR. v. Union Of India And ORS.

24.04.2025 Item No.18 gd/ssd WPA(P)/145/2025 KRISHNA PADA DAS AND ANR.

VS UNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

Mr. Asit Kumar Manna, Ms. Madhurima Basu ..for the Petitioners.

Mr. Jahar Lal De, Mr. Shamim ul Bari ..for the State.

Mr. Ashok Kumar Chakraborty, ld. ASGI, Ms. Anamika Pandey ..for the Union of India.

1. The petitioners seek for a direction upon the respondents specifically the Divisional Railway Manager, Eastern Railway, Sealdah Division to immediately cease the practice of suspending Circular Railway train services on account of religious occasions except in genuine emergency situation.

2. The manner of operation of train services and all matters connected therewith are to be left with the railway administration and it is not for the court to substitute its views to that of the views of the railway administration.

3. It appears that during certain festive days the circular rail services are being temporarily suspended on the basis of the letter written by the Deputy Commissioner (Port).

4. According to the petitioners, this practice has to be immediately abandoned and rail services have to be continuously operated.

5. Unfortunately this court cannot issue such a direction upon the railway administration who are the competent authority to decide as to in which route, how many there are to be operated and the timing of which the trains have to be operated and the number of services etc.

6. Therefore, we cannot issue the direction as sought for.

7. However, we leave it open to the petitioner to pursue his representation before the authorities, if so advised.

8. With the above observations, the matter is disposed of.

(T. S. SIVAGNANAM) CHIEF JUSTICE (CHAITALI CHATTERJEE (DAS), J.)