In a strongly worded order, the High Court of Chhattisgarh has pulled up the state government and local authorities for leaving a newly constructed inter-state bus terminal in Kondagaon unused and vulnerable to misuse by miscreants. Taking suo motu cognizance of a report published in The Hitavada newspaper on March 22, 2025, the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal registered WPPIL No. 38 of 2025 as a Public Interest Litigation.
Background: Rs 6.51 Crore Facility Turns Into a Haven for Miscreants
The court took note of the newspaper article titled “Inter-state bus stand lies unused, turns into den for miscreants”, which described how a bus terminal constructed at a cost of Rs 6.51 crore has remained idle for over two years. The report noted that due to its non-functional status and lack of surveillance, the premises had become a hotspot for anti-social activities including alcohol consumption, hooliganism, and even stunt performances. Local residents expressed concern over the deterioration of the infrastructure and appealed for CCTV installation or security deployment.
A notable observation was the presence of a large display screen at the facility, which has also gone unused due to the absence of functional bus operations and proper monitoring.
Key Legal Issues: Public Money, Public Infrastructure and Administrative Accountability
The court focused on several critical legal and administrative questions:
Why was a public infrastructure project worth Rs 6.51 crore not operationalized despite completion?
What measures were taken to safeguard the property and prevent public nuisance?
Is the state administration fulfilling its obligation under Article 21, the right to life with dignity, by allowing public money to be wasted and infrastructure to deteriorate?
What steps are being taken to ensure public safety and proper utilization of public funds?
Court’s Remarks
In a scathing remark that formed the essence of the headline, the Bench observed:
“When the State has incurred such a heavy amount for construction of the bus stand, what has prevented from making the bus stand functional, is beyond understanding.”
The court described the indifferent attitude of the District Administration as a catalyst for criminal activities, emphasizing that neglect would not only escalate law and order issues but would also burden the state further with additional repair costs.
Proceedings and Directions
The court was assisted by Shashank Thakur, learned Deputy Advocate General, representing respondents No. 1 to 4 (the State, UAD Secretary, Collector and SP of Kondagaon), and Manas Vajpai on behalf of Sandeep Dubey, learned counsel for respondent No. 5 (Chief Municipal Officer, Kondagaon).
Shashank Thakur admitted that the bus stand lies on the outskirts of the city, which is why it remains unused, but submitted recent photographs and informed the court that a stakeholder meeting had been held to discuss the matter.
The court was not convinced by the justification and directed the Secretary of the Urban Administration and Development Department, Government of Chhattisgarh, to file a personal affidavit clarifying:
Why the bus stand was neglected,
What steps have been taken so far, and
The future course of action to operationalize the facility.
Similarly, respondent No. 5, the Chief Municipal Officer of Kondagaon, was directed to seek instructions and file a detailed response.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on April 16, 2025.
Case Details
Case Title: Suo Motu Public Interest Litigation Regarding News Item in The Hitavada
Case Number: WPPIL No. 38 of 2025
Bench: Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal
Advocates: Shashank Thakur (Deputy Advocate General for the State), Manas Vajpai for Sandeep Dubey (for Municipal Corporation)
