2026:CGHC:3557 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPC No. 279 of 2026 Chhattisgarh Christian (Masihi) Mela Samiti Madkudweep Regd. No. 4158, Through Secretary, Rev. Sharad Lall, Aged About 63 Years, S/o- Late Youel Lall, R/o- Wesleyan Methodist Church, Ambagarh Chowki, District- Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki (C.G.)

... Petitioner versus

1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Secretary, Department Of General Administration, Mahanadi Bhawan, New Mantralaya, Nava Raipur, District- Raipur (C.G.)

2 - Collector And District Magistrate Mungeli, District Mungeli (C.G.)

3 - Superintendent Of Police Mungeli, District Mungeli (C.G.)

4 - Sub-Divisional Officer (Revenue) Pathariya, District Mungeli (C.G.)

5 - Tahsildar Sargaon, District Mungeli (C.G.)

6 - Station House Officer Police Station Sargaon, District Mungeli (C.G.)

7 - Chhattisgarh Masihi Mela Dioses Of Chhattisgarh C.N.I., Madkudweep Through Deputy Co-Ordinator Nitin Lawrence, Chhattisgarh Masihi Mela Dioses Of Chhattisgarh, C.N.I., Madkudweep, Baitalpur, District Mungeli (C.G.)

... Respondents

21.01.2026

1. The petitioner has preferred this writ petition under Article 226 of the Digitally signed by BINI BINI PRADEEP PRADEEP Date:

2026.01.22

+0530

Constitution of India, seeking following relief(s):-

10.1 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to call for entire records of the case, from the authorities.

10.2 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be please to direct the respondent authorities to decide the application moved by the petitioner with respect to granting of permission dated 01.12.2025 for the Chhattisgarh Christian (Masihi) Mela Madkudweep Baitalpur, District Mungeli (C.G.) for the year

2026.

10.3 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be please to direct the respondent authorities to abstain the respondent no. 7 for conducting the Mela on the same premises for which the present petitioner has already made application for and allow the application of the petitioner as they have been conducting the same Mela for 117 Years, in the interest of justice.

10.4 That, any other relief/order which may deem fit and just in the facts and circumstances of the case.

2. Learned Sr. counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is a registered society under the Society Registration Act, 1973 and it has been organizing Madkudweep Mela for the last 117 years at Madkudweep, Village Madku, Baitalpupr, Bilaspur-Raipur National Highway No.130 at a small island at Shivnath river. She next submits that earlier respondents authorities frequently granted permission to organize the Mela to the petitioner. In this year also the petitioner has made communication dated 01.12.2025 (Annexure-P/9) to District Magistrate, Distt. Mungeli to provide basic amenities to organize said Mela. Similar communications dated 01.12.2025 vide Annexure-P/10, Annexure-P/11, Annexure-P/12 and Annexure-P/13 have also been made to Superintendent of Police, Distt. Mungeli; Chief Medical Officer, Mungeli; Sub Divisional Officer, Pathariya, Distt. Mungeli, and Assistant/Junior Engineer, CSPDCIL, Sargaon, Mungeli respectively, but the same have not been decided yet. Learned Sr. counsel further submits that said Mela is to be organized between 02.02.2026 to

08.02.2026, but the respondent authorities have not taken any action. Hence, it is prayed that this petition may be disposed of directing respondents No.2 to 4 to redress the grievance of the petitioner society as prayed by it in aforesaid communications.

3. Learned Sr. counsel further submits that objection is being raised by respondent No.7, as they also want to organize such Mela, but respondent No.7 has never organized such Mela in previous years.

4. When specified question was pose