In a special sitting held during a public holiday, the High Court of Chhattisgarh at Bilaspur on Thursday took suo motu cognizance of a news report alleging that railway sports officials held a party involving liquor and non-vegetarian food inside a boxing ring. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru, in WPPIL No. 94 of 2025, observed the alleged conduct as “gross misconduct” prima facie and directed the General Manager of South Eastern Central Railway (SECR) to conduct an inquiry and submit a personal affidavit.
Background of the Case
The High Court registered the suo motu public interest litigation based on an office reference to a news item published on October 23, 2025, in the Hindi daily “Dainik Bhaskar.” The news report was titled, “खेल अधिकारियों ने बाक्सिंग रिंग में मनाया बर्थ-डे, शराब नानवेज की पार्टी वायरल” (Sports officials celebrated birthday in boxing ring, liquor-nonveg party viral).
The report’s sub-heading stated, “ये शर्मनाक है, फोटो शेयर कर खिलाडी ने लिखा-खिलाडी जिस बाक्सिंग रिंग की पूजा करते हैं, उसे खेल अधिकारियों ने मयखाना बना दिया” (This is shameful, player shared photo and wrote – The boxing ring which players worship, sports officials have turned it into a bar).
Details from the News Report
The court order detailed the contents of the news report, which alleged that a picture of Railway Department officials celebrating in the SECR boxing ring had gone viral on social media.
According to the report, the SECR Zone’s Sports Cell in-charge, Shrikant Pahadi, celebrated his and fellow coach Devendra Yadav’s birthday at the boxing club, inviting fellow coaches and players. The report alleged they “cooked fish fry and chicken on the spot, after which they drank a lot of beer and liquor.”
The judgment noted that, as per the news item, “Viral photos show everyone holding bottles and glasses filled with alcohol” and officials were “seen sipping drinks.”
The report also contained a message from a railway player, shared with Dainik Bhaskar, which read: “The boxing ring which players worship, has been turned into a bar by the sports officials. After drinking liquor, they ate non-veg on the spot.”
It was further alleged that during the party, “sports officials used the players’ mats as tables,” placing “glasses, beer bottles, and snacks on top,” and that the “party continued for hours.” The Boxing Coach also reportedly attended.
The news item also included the version of the Senior DCM, Anurag Kumar Singh, who stated, “The boxing ring is for the players to practice. Drinking alcohol is prohibited here. Any such incident will certainly be investigated.”
Court’s Analysis and Proceedings
During the special holiday hearing on October 23, 2025, Mr. Tarun Prakash, General Manager of SECR, was present via video conferencing, along with Mr. Ramakant Mishra, learned Deputy Solicitor General, and Mr. Rishabh Deo Singh, learned Standing Counsel for the respondents.
The Division Bench, after reviewing the news item, made a prima facie observation: “Prima facie, such conduct reflects gross misconduct and disregard for the sanctity of a place meant for sports training and practice.”
The order stated that when “confronted with the aforesaid news item, Mr. Tarun Prakash, General Manager, SECR sought time to made a detailed enquiry into the matter and to submit a report in the form of the affidavit.”
Decision and Directions
The High Court ordered the General Manager, SECR, to “submit a report in the form of a duly sworn personal affidavit before the next date of hearing.”
The court specified that the affidavit must indicate “the outcome of such enquiry and the action, if any, proposed or taken against the erring officials.”
The matter has been listed for the next hearing on October 31, 2025.
