Vivekananda Bauri v. The State Of West Bengal And ORS.

Ct. No. 01 WPA(P) 227 of 2024 Vivekananda Bauri vs.

AN 27.06.2024 State of West Bengal & Ors.

Mr. Gautam De Mr. Sudip Palit Mr. Debasis Sarkar Mr. Gauranga Das Mr. Sammak Bera Mr. Pralay Bhattacharya Mr. Guddu Singh Mr. Samrat Ghosh Ms. Dipanwita Ganguly Ms. Ankita Ghosh ... for the petitioner Mr. Samrat Sen Mr. Amal Kr. Sen Mr. Lal Mohan Basu ... for the State

1. The petitioner who is stated to be a Member of the Legislative Assembly and also an advocate has filed this Public Interest Litigation to direct the respondents to ensure that the erring officials who are involved in extortion of money from the transporters when the goods passes through Dishergarh Ghat Bridge Naka Checking point, Raghunathpur in the District of Purulia are booked under the Penal Provisions & the Prevention of the Corruption Act.

2. The petitioner also seeks for an investigation by the C.B.I. It is submitted that under the guise of the naka checking there is severe harassment to the vehicles which are passing through the said naka checking point and very often the drivers are compelled to pay a huge sum of money so that the vehicles may pass the naka checking point.

3. Though such was the submission made by the

learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, in the writ petition, there is no specific allegation except for a couple of photographs which have been annexed alongwith the stay petition. Furthermore, it is seen that no representation was given to the authorities pointing out any specific instance of illegal extortion of money from the truck drivers and transporters.

4. Therefore, based on the allegations made in the writ petition, no positive direction can be granted as sought for by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner. However, considering the fact that the petitioner is a Member of the Legislative Assembly, we grant liberty to the petitioner to make an appropriate representation before the 4th and the 5th respondent herein pointing out clear instances and if the representation contains all particulars, authorities shall proceed and take action in accordance with law.

5. The Superintendent of Police, Purulia has forwarded a report of the Officer-in-Charge of the Neturia Police Station dated 10.06.2024. On perusal of the same, it is seen that appropriate steps taken by the Purulia District Police. The said report is placed on record.

6. In the result, the writ petition stands disposed of. (T. S. Sivagnanam) Chief Justice (Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, J.)