Omnarayan Sharma vs State of M. P. - 2021 Supreme(MP) 387

Judicial Analysis Court Copy Headnote Facts Arguments Court observation

2021 Supreme(MP) 387

IN THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH
Sheel Nagu and Anand Pathak, JJ.
Omnarayan Sharma v. State of M. P. & Others
Writ Petition No. 1930 of 2020(PIL) (Gwalior);
Decided on 6.7.2021

Advocates:
U.K.Bohre, for petitioner;
Ankur Modi, Additional Advocate General for respondents/State.

Headnote:
(1) Constitution of India -- Art. 226 -- NALSA (Effective Implementation of Poverty Alleviation Schemes) Scheme, 2015 -- Cls. (9), (10) and (11) -- public interest litigation -- alleged illegality and corruption in implementation of Swachh Bharat Mission -- primary object of Mission -- to eliminate open defecation and improve solid waste management -- challenging period of Covid-19 pandemic -- cleanliness and public hygiene assumed much significance -- solemn duty of district and local administration as well as local self-government to look into effective implementation of scheme -- poverty is multi-dimensional experience -- includes basic services including sanitation etc. -- duty cast upon Legal Services Authority as per Legal Services Authority Act, 1987 and Scheme of 2015 -- complaint received by Legal Services Officer from complainant/scheme beneficiary -- can be taken care of by District Authority as per cls. (9), (10) and (11) of Scheme, and even by State Authority -- State Authority may frame suitable regulations for effective implementation of schemes -- may contemplate preparation of software and mobile application for keeping tab on complaints received and their outcome -- District Authority and its office bearers expected to organize awareness and training programmesfor panel lawyers/legal volunteers/para-legal volunteers in proactive manner -- training must sensitize to notion that they have to act as healersof society. [Paras 8, 13, 17, 20 to 22]
(2) Policy -- NALSA (Effective Implementation of Poverty Alleviation Schemes) Scheme, 2015 -- scheme built on foundation that poverty is multi-dimensional -- multi-dimensional poverty not limited to issues of income -- includes issues like health (including mental health), access to water, education, sanitation, subsidies and basic services, social exclusion, discrimination etc. -- in identifying specific scheme for implementation at State and district level, Legal Services Authorities expected to be cognizant of fact that various vulnerable and marginalized groups experience poverty in myriad and unique ways. [Paras 9 & 10]
(3) Constitution of India -- Art. 226 -- NALSA (Effective Implementation of Poverty Alleviation Schemes) Scheme, 2015 -- Cl. 10 (3) -- cl.10(3) of Scheme gives option to choose between persuasion (with concerned Department) or petition (to file appropriate legal proceedings) -- appropriate legal proceedings may include complaint before Lokayukt, or private complaint against erring persons, or filing public interest litigation on behalf of complainant -- it can club cause of more than one beneficiaries also. [Paras 15 & 22 (ii)]
(4) Constitution of India -- Art. 226 -- public interest litigation -- construction of toilets under Swachh Bharat Mission -- certain beneficiaries allegedly did not receive benefits -- amount allegedly siphoned off by Sarpanch/Panchayat Secretary/Gram Rojgar Sahayak etc. -- Collector and CEO of Zila Panchayat directed to look into allegations with utmost promptitude -- role of concerned Sarpanch, Panchayat Secretary, Gram Rojgar Sahayak, Supervisor and any other person involved in transaction or having responsibility under Mission who failed oracted mischievously, be enquired into
-- enquiry be conducted within two months from date of passing of this order. [Para 19]
¼1½ Hkkjr dk lafo/kku & vuqPNsn 226 & jk"Vªh; fof/kd lsok Ákf/kdj.k ¼nfjærk mUewyu ;kstukvksa dk ÁHkkoh fØ;kUo;u½ ;kstuk] 2015 & [kaM ¼9½] ¼10½ rFkk ¼11½ & yksd fgr eqdnek & LoPN Hkkjr vfHk;ku ds fØ;kUo;u esa vfHkdfFkr voS/krk vkSj Hkz"Vkpkj & vfHk;ku dk ÁkFkfed mn~ns'; & [kqys esa 'kkSp ls eqfDr vkSj Bksl vif'k"V Áca/ku esa lq/kkj & dksfoM&19 oSf'od egkekjh dk pqukSrhiw.kZ dky & LoPNrk vkSj yksd LokLF; vR;f/kd egRoiw.kZ gks x, & ;kstuk ds ÁHkkoh fØ;kUo;u dh tkap iM+rky djuk ftyk vkSj LFkkuh; Á'kklu ds lkFk gh Lok;Rr 'kklu dk egRoiw.kZ drZO; & nfjærk cgq&vkkeh vuqHko gS & lQkbZ vkfn lfgr ewyHkwr lsok,a lfEefyr & fof/kd lsok Ákf/kdj.k vfèkfu;e] 1987 rFkk lu~ 2015 dh ;kstuk ds vuqlkj fof/kd lsok Ákf/kdj.k ij drZO; dk Hkkj fof/kd lsok Ákf/kdj.k vf/kfu;e] 1987 rFkk lu~ 2015 dh ;kstuk ds vuqlkj fof/kd lsok Ákf/kdj.k ij drZO; dk Hkkj & fof/kd lsok vf/kdkjh dks f'kdk;rdrkZ@;kstuk ds fgrxzkgh ls f'kdk;r ÁkIr & ;kstuk ds [kaM ¼9½] ¼10½ vkSj ¼11½ ds vuqlkj ftyk Ákf/kdj.k }kjk rFkk jkT; Ákf/kdj.k }kjk Hkh ns[kh tk ldrh gS & ;kstukvksa ds ÁHkkoh fØ;kUo;u ds fy, jkT; Ákf/kdj.k mi;qDr fofu;e fojfpr dj ldrk gS & ÁkIr f'kdk;drksa vkSj muds Qfyrksa ij fuxjkuh j[kus ds fy, lkWVos;j vkSj eksckby ,Iyhds'ku rS;kj djus ij euu dj ldrk gS & ftyk Ákf/kdj.k vkSj mlds in/kkfj;ksa }kjk iSuy odhyksa@fof/kd LosPNdfeZ;ksa@v/kZ&fof/kd LosPNkdfeZ;ksa ds fy, vxzlfØ; jhfr esa tkx#drk vkSj Áf'k{k.k dk;ZØe vk;ksftr fd;k tkuk visf{kr & Áf'k{k.k esa bl cks/k ds Áfr laosnu'khy vo'; cuk;k tk, fd mUgsa lekt ds fpfdRldksa ds :i esa dk;Z djuk gSA ¼iSjk 8] 13] 17] 20 ls 22½
¼2½ uhfr & jk"Vªh; fof/kd lsok Ákf/kdj.k ¼nfjærk mUewyu ;kstukvksa dk ÁHkkoh fØ;kUo;u½ ;kstuk] 2015 & ;kstuk bl ewy fl)kar ij fufeZr fd nfjærk cgq&vkkeh gS & cgq&vkkeh nfjærk vk; ds fo"k; rd lhfer ugha & LokLF; ¼ekufld LokLF; lfgr½] ty rd igqap] f'k{kk] lQkbZ] lgkf;dh vkSj ewyHkwr lsok,a] lkekftd cfg"dkj foHksn vkfn tSls fo"k; lfEefyr & jkT; vkSj ftyk Lrj ij fØ;kUo;u gsrq fofufnZ"V ;kstuk dh igpku djrs le; fofèkd lsok Ákfèkdj.kksa dks bl rF; dk laKku gksuk visf{kr fd muds detksj vkSj vfèkdkjghu lewg vla[; vkSj vuwBs izdkj ls nfjærk vuqHko djrs gSaA ¼iSjk 9 ,oa 10½
¼3½ Hkkjr dk lafo/kku & vuqPNsn 226 & jk"Vªh; fof/kd lsok Ákf/kdj.k ¼nfjærk mUewy ;kstukvksa dk ÁHkkoh fØ;kUo;u½ ;kstuk] 2015 & [kaM 10¼3½ ;kstuk ds [kaM 10¼3½ esa ¼lac) foHkkx ls½ vuqu; vFkok ¼leqfpr fof/kd dk;Zokgh ÁLrqr djds½ ;kfpdk ds e/; pquus dk fodYi fn;k x;k gS & leqfpr fof/kd dk;Zokgh esa yksdk;qDr ds le{k f'kdk;r vFkok xyrh djus okys O;fDr;ksa ds fo#) ÁkbosV ifjokn vFkok f'kdk;rdrkZ dh vksj ls yksd fgr eqdnek ÁLrqr djuk lfEefyr gks ldrk gS & mlesa ,d ls vf/kd fgrxzkfg;ksa dk fgr Hkh tksM+k tk ldrk gSA ¼iSjk 15 ,oa 22¼2½½
¼4½ Hkkjr dk lafo/kku & vuqPNsn 226 & yksdfgr eqdnek & LoPN Hkkjr vfHk;ku ds varxZr 'kkSpky;ksa dk fuekZ.k & dfri; fgrxzkfg;ksa dks vfHkdfFkr :i ls Qk;ns ÁkIr ugha gq, & ljiap @iapk;r lfpo@xzke jkstxkj lgk;d vkfn }kjk vfHkdfFkr :i ls jde csbZekuh ls fudky yh xbZ & dysDVj vkSj ftyk iapk;r ds eq[; dk;Zikyu vf/kdkjh dks vfr'kh?kzrk ls vfHkdFkuksa dh iM+rky djus dk funs'k & lacaf/kr ljiap] iapk;r lfpo] xzke jkstxkj lgk;d] i;Zos{kd rFkk laO;ogkj esa varoZfyr vU; fdlh Hkh O;fDr vFkok vfHk;ku ds vèkhu mÙkjnkf;Ro fuHkkus esa vlQy jgus okys ;k fjf"ViwoZd dk;Z djus okys O;fDr dh Hkwfedk dh tkap dh tk, & tkap ;g vkns'k ikfjr fd, tkus ds fnukad ls nks ekl ds Hkhrj dh tk,A ¼iSjk 19½

ORDER

Pathak, J. -- 1. The present petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India has been preferred by the petitioner as Pro Bono Publico projecting himself to be a public spirited citizen and has raised the grievance regarding illegality and irregularity committed by the respondents, especially respondents No. 6 to 13 who according to petitioner have not undertaken any enquiry over the complaint of petitioner regarding corruption / illegality committed in construction of toilets under Swachh Bharat Mission.

2. Counsel for the petitioner has sought following reliefs:--

^^1- Áfr;kfpdkdrkZ Øekad 1 yxk;r 13 dks vkns'k@funsZ'k fn;k tk, fd ftyk fHk.M ds vUrxZr 6 tuin iapk;r] vVsj] esgxkao] fHk.M] xksg] jksu ,oa ygkj ds vUrxZr 'kkSpky; fuekZ.k esa gq;s Hkz"Vkpkj dh tkap fdlh fu"i{k ,tsUlh@vf/kdkjh ls djk;h tk, rFkk mDr Hkz"Vkpkj esa lafyIr vf/kdkfj;ksa@deZpkfj;ksa ds fo:) dkuwuh dk;Zokgh dh tk,A
2- Áfr;kfpdkdrkZ Øekad 1 yxk;r 13 dks vkns'k@funsZ'k fn;k tk, fd mDr 'kkSpky; fuekZ.k esa gq, Hkz"Vkpkj ls 'kklu dks tks gkfu gqbZ gS mldh olwyh nks"kh vf/kdkjh@ deZpkfj;ksa ls dh tk,A
3- vU; U;k;ksfpr lgk;rk tks Ádj.k dh ifjfLFkfr;ksa ds vuq:i mfpr gks og ekuuh; U;k;ky; }kjk ;kfpdkdrkZ ds fgr esa tkjh dh tk;sA
4- ;kfpdkdrkZ dks eqdnesa dk gtkZ [kpkZ Hkh Áfr;kfpdkdrkZx.k ls fnyk;k tk;s vkSj ;kfpdkdrkZ dh tufgr ;kfpdk Lohdkj dh tk;s rks ekuuh; U;k;ky; dh vfrd`ik gksxhA**

3. Precisely stated facts of the case are that on 31.12.2019, one Ramu Chaudhary, resident of village Etahar, District Bhind registered a complaint on Chief Minister Helpline Portal that Sarpanch, Secretary and other officers of the Gram Panchayat Ater, District Bhind have embezzled public fund in the name of construction of toilets but neither toilets have been constructed nor any amount for construction has been received by 93 beneficiaries. Despite making complaint by the petitioner on behalf of the beneficiaries to Collector, District Bhind no affirmative steps have been taken.

4. It is the grievance of the petitioner that in other blocks of District Bhind also corruption and illegality have been conducted in construction of toilets under Swachh Bharat Mission. Petitioner placed the list of beneficiaries (94 in number) vide Annexure P/3, who did not receive the benefits of toilets nor any amount. Petitioner also referred the screen shot of app. (Pandit Deendayal Shram Seva App) to demonstrate that allegedly amount has been received by the beneficiaries but in fact bogus papers have been prepared and amount has been siphoned off.

5. Learned counsel for the respondents/State opposed the prayer and placed certain documents on record. It is the submission of learned counsel for the State that immediately after issuance of notice in this writ petition (on 27.8.2020), CEO, Zila Panchayat, Bhind vide order dated 14.1.2021 (Annexure R/1) constituted a committee to look into the complaint made by petitioner. He also referred the show cause notice issued by same authority to then Panchayat Secretary, Gram Rojgar Sahayak and other Secretaries, who worked at the relevant point of time including the then Supervisor. Therefore, as per respondents, enquiry is under process. Learned Government counsel assured this Court that due enquiry would be conducted and if any illegality or irregularity is found then same shall be taken care of earnestly and consequent action shall be taken as per enquiry report.

6. Rejoinder has been filed by petitioner in which he referred statements of certain residents of Gram Panchayat Etahar, who specifically referred the fact regarding non-receipt of any amount for construction of toilets. They also denied the construction of toilets at the instance of Gram Panchayat.

7. Heard learned counsel for the parties at length and perused the record.

8. This is a case by way of Pro Bone Publico; whereby, petitioner as public interest litigant raised the question of alleged illegality and corruption brewing in the Gram Panchayat Etahar, Tahsil Ater, District Bhi