IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CWJC No.8272 of 2009 1. SRI SHAMBHU NATH DUTTA, son of Late Umesh Chandra Dutta, resident of 257 Subarna Pattam P.S. Barasat, P.O. Kazipara Barasat, North 24 Parganas, Kolkata- 700124. 2. Dilip Kumar Saha, son of Late Kshetra Mohan Saha, JIT Apartment, Flat no.2, C. Karer Gaga Main Road, Goria, Kolkata- 700084. 3. Swetam Buja Chakraborty, son of Late Lakhidas Chakraborty, 141, J. Kanungo Park, Flat No.8, Kolkata. 700084. 4. Smt. Shyamali Chakraborty, wife of Swetam Bhuj Chakraborty, 141, J. Kanungo Park, Flat No.8, Kolkata. 700084. 5. Anil Kumar Chakraborty, son of Late Abinash Chandra Chakraborty, resident of 17/D/36 Dakshindari Road, P.S. Lake Town, Kolkata- 700048. 6. Subhas Ranjan Sen Gupta, son of Late Pabitra Ranjan Sen Gupta, resident of Ghosh Para 2nd Lane, P.S. & P.O.- Krishna Nagar, District- Nadia, West Bengal PIN-741101. 7. Basanti Chakraborty, wife of Sri A. K. Chakraborty, resident of 7/1 Mahendra Road, Kolkata- 700025. … Petitioners Versus 1. THE STATE OF BIHAR through the Secretary to the Home Minister, Government of Bihar, Secretariat Building, Patna, Bihar. 2. Union of India, through Railway Minister, Government of India, New Delhi, Rail Bhawan, New Delhi. 3. The Station Superintendent, Gaya Railway Station, Gaya, Bihar. 4. The Superintendent of Police, G.R.P., Gaya Railway Station, Gaya, Bihar. 5. The District Magistrate, Gaya, Bihar. 6. The Superintendent of Police, Gaya, Bihar. 7. I.G., Registration, New Secretariat Building, 2nd Floor, Patna, Bihar. 8. Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Swarajya Puri Road, Gaya- 823001, Bihar, through its Secretary 9. Bharat Sevashram Sangha, 211 Rash Behari Avenue, Kolkata- 700019 through its Secretary. 10. Adi Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Telbigha, Rajendra Path, Gaya, Bihar, through its Secretary 11. Joy Guru Sevasram Sangha, Near Kiran Talkies, Gaya, Bihar, through its Secretary. 12. Purantam Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Kali Asthan, Murarpur, Gaya, Bihar, through its Secretary. 13. Bikhayat Bharat Sevashram, Ganga Mahal, Gaya, Bihar, through its Secretary … Respondents ----------- For the petitioners : Mr. L. N. Das, Advocate. For the State : Mr. Prabhakar Tekriwal, G.A. No.1 For the Railways : Mr. Mahesh Prasad, Advocate. ----------- 4/ 02.09.2009 Heard Mr. L. N. Das, counsel for the petitioner, Mr. - 2 - Prabhakar Tekriwal, G.A. and Mr. Mahesh Prasad, Advocate for Railway. The present writ petition has been filed by seven pilgrims in the public interest on behalf of numerous pilgrims visiting Gaya, more particularly, during Pitra Pakcha, alleging that many societies having names similar to existing volunteer societies have come up in recent times, who are indulging in harassing the pilgrims. Several representations have been filed before the various officers including the respondent no.7-the I.G., Registration, highlighting the allegations in the petition. A counter affidavit has been filed, wherein, it is indicated that some of the complaints regarding exploitation of the pilgrims are justified. The counter affidavit also indicates that efforts are being made to prevent harassment to the genuine pilgrims. Keeping in view the limited scope for interference by the judiciary in such matters, we do not think that any specific writ of mandamus can be issued. However, while disposing the writ application we feel it appropriate to observe that the respondent no.7- I.G., Registration should look into the matter relating to any matter pending before him and should take steps to dispose of such matters in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible only after complying with the principles of natural justice. Similarly, it is further observed that other authorities concerned including the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police of Gaya District should make all sincere efforts to see that innocent pilgrims are not harassed by unscrupulous - 3 - elements. With the aforesaid observation, this writ petition is disposed of. JA/- (P. K. Misra, CJ.) (Anjana Prakash, J.)