Calcutta High CourtWPA(P)/568/2025disposed

Ashok Mridha v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

2026-02-23Hon'Ble Chief Justice Sujoy Paul,Hon'Ble Justice Partha Sarathi Sen3 pages

23.02.2026 Item No.11 Ct. No.1 PG WPA(P) 568 of 2025 Ashok Mridha Vs.

The State of West Bengal & Ors.

Mr. Indrajit Roy Chowdhury Ms. Mehnaz Rahaman..... for the petitioner Mr. Swapan Kr. Dutta, Ld. GP Mr. Nilotpal Chatterjee Mr. Kaustav Chatterjee..........for the State PER, SUJOY PAUL, CJ. :

1. Parties are represented through their respective learned counsel.

2. With the consent of the parties, the matter is finally heard.

3. The singular point raised by learned counsel for petitioner is that the license issuing process for Boats at Sunderban should be more transparent and this transparency can be achieved if it is made on digital platform.

4. In the previous round of litigation, the respondents were directed to take a decision in this regard and in turn, when this matter is filed because no such policy is translated into reality on digital platform,

the respondents have filed a report, wherein they stated "The issuance of new or fresh BLCs involves policy issues which are beyond the remit of the respondent number 2."

5. Before that, it is also stated, "....The existing system of BLCs has developed several problems and is not in the best interests of the tiger reserve and the fringe population."

6. Admittedly, the respondent no. 2 framed a proposed policy and sent it to the higher officials to take a decision in this regard.

7. This Court on 05.01.2026 expected that Government will apprise the Court on the next date as to what decision has been taken on the communication dated 12.09.2024.

8. Sri Chatterjee fairly informed that as on date, no decision has been taken on the proposed policy sent by respondent no. 2.

He agreed that this Court may fix a reasonable time within which the

competent authority will take decision on the said proposed policy.

9. Accordingly, we deem it proper to dispose of this PIL with following directions:

(i) The Principal Secretary, Forest Department shall take a decision on the pending proposed policy regarding "Comprehensive Procedure and Guidelines for Issuance of Fresh Boat License Certificate(s) in "Sunderban Area".

(ii) The said decision shall be taken positively within sixty days from the date of communication of server copy of this order.

(iii) The outcome shall be communicated to the petitioner.

10. With aforesaid and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the petition is disposed of.

(SUJOY PAUL, CJ.) (PARTHA SARATHI SEN, J.)