The Gauhati High Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed making allegations against government official (respondent No.5) bringing a rule of anarchy in the locality.
The PIL raises a grievance against the respondent No.5 who is working as the Government Gaon Burah of villages Chatian, Nagarbandha and Kenduguri under the Rupahi Revenue Circle in the district of Nagaon, Assam.
Allegation has been levelled that the respondent No.5 has brought all the economic and official of the villages under his grip by illegal means and let loose extreme corruption and hooliganism organizing a group of hooligans, anti-social elements, criminals, land mafias and started a rule of anarchy in the locality.
It is also alleged that the respondent No.5 has formed a nexus with the local revenue, police and other officials and made himself as the solitary ruler of the area controlling all the activities and if anybody protests his misdeeds, is entrapped in criminal cases.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice Suman Shyam noted that the petition is filed by the petitioners levelling allegations against the respondent No.5 who is a Government official but in support of the said allegations, no material is placed on record except a copy of the representation said to have been submitted by the villagers to the Chief Minister, Assam.
The Court opined that a petition levelling certain allegations against a Government official cannot be termed as a petition in public interest in a strict sense. If the villagers have any grievance against the Government official, they can avail appropriate remedy available to them under the law such as filing complaint to the higher officials and if any individual is involved in criminal activities, complaint can be filed with the police also.
R.K. Borah, Additional Senior Government Advocate, Assam appearing for the respondent State has informed the Court that acting on the complaint filed by the villagers, the respondent No.5 has already been placed under suspension vide order dated 28.04.2023 issued by the Deputy Commissioner & Disciplinary Authority, Nagaon.