Case at a Glance
A public interest petition complained that Vidhyadhar Ka Bag — a declared monument situated in a reserved forest area — was being used for marriages and private functions with late-night amplified music, laser lights and fireworks, and that a restaurant was running there under a 2022 tender. The State told the Court that no such activities were currently taking place and the tender had expired. Holding that such activities disturb protected wildlife and “ought to be prohibited”, the Rajasthan High Court directed a “forthwith complete prohibition” on commercial use of the property for parties, marriages, restaurants or similar purposes, appointed a Court Commissioner to inspect the site, and summoned the officer in charge to explain how tenders were issued for a property next to the forest.
The Citizens Protection Society (spelt ‘Citezens’ in the cause title) filed a writ petition in 2023 about Vidhyadhar Ka Bag, described in the order as “a declared monument situated in the reserved forest area.” It alleged that marriages and private functions were being held at the property, bringing late-night amplified music, laser lights and fireworks, and that a restaurant was operating there under a tender dated 14 September 2022.
When the matter came up on 2 November 2026, no one appeared for the petitioner. The Additional Advocate General stated that no marriages or commercial operations were currently taking place, and that the 2022 tender had expired so no such activity was running near the wildlife area; counsel for the forest authorities confirmed this. The Court noted that the case had been directed to be listed for final hearing by an earlier order of 29 September 2026.
The Key Question Before the Court
Can a declared monument located in a reserved forest, next to protected wildlife, be used for weddings, parties and a restaurant?
Wildlife comes before commercial events
The Division Bench, presided over by Chief Justice Sanjay K. Agrawal, accepted that late-night events with loud music, lights and fireworks cause discomfort to protected wildlife, and held that “such activities ought to be prohibited.” Drawing on the Supreme Court’s forest-conservation proceedings in T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad v. Union of India, and noting that the tender had in any case expired, it found it appropriate to direct “a forthwith complete prohibition upon any such activities.”
Not content with the State’s assurance, the Court appointed Advocate Apeksha Bapna as Court Commissioner to inspect the site, take photographs and report, with the State to bear ₹25,000 for her work and to give her all assistance. It directed the Officer In-charge to appear and explain “how tenders have been issued in the property situated adjacent to the forest area”, and asked the Registry to explain why the matter was listed under ‘admission’ despite the earlier direction for final hearing.
What the Court Actually Held
- Commercial use of Vidhyadhar Ka Bag for parties, marriages, restaurants or similar purposes is completely prohibited with immediate effect.
- Advocate Apeksha Bapna is appointed Court Commissioner to inspect the site, take photographs and report; the State is to pay ₹25,000 and give all assistance.
- The Officer In-charge must appear and explain how tenders were issued for a property adjacent to the forest area.
- The Registry is to explain the listing under ‘admission’; the matter is listed on 8 December 2026.
Why This Judgment Matters
- Heritage properties inside or near forests are often rented out for weddings and events; this order puts wildlife protection first.
- The Court did not rely only on the State’s word that activities had stopped — it ordered independent inspection.
- Questioning how tenders were issued for such a site may lead to wider scrutiny of commercial leasing of protected properties.
What Should Advocates Take Away From the Judgment?
For Citizens and Event Organisers
- Booking weddings or parties at Vidhyadhar Ka Bag is now barred by court order.
- Residents can bring evidence of noise, lights or fireworks near forest areas before courts through public interest petitions.
- The matter is still pending; further directions may follow after the Commissioner’s report.
For Counsel
- In PILs on forest-adjacent heritage sites, seek appointment of a Court Commissioner for independent verification.
- Ask for the officer responsible for tenders to be summoned where commercial use of protected property is alleged.
- The order names no specific statute; plead the Forest, Wildlife and Monuments laws expressly in such petitions.
Key Takeaways
- Weddings, parties and restaurants at Vidhyadhar Ka Bag are banned forthwith.
- Late-night noise, lights and fireworks disturb protected wildlife.
- A Court Commissioner will inspect and report; the State pays ₹25,000.
- Officials must explain how tenders were issued; next hearing 8 December 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the High Court ban events at Vidhyadhar Ka Bag?
Because it is a declared monument in a reserved forest area, and the Court held that late-night music, laser lights and fireworks cause discomfort to protected wildlife, so such activities ought to be prohibited.
Is this the final judgment in the case?
No. It is an order in a pending writ petition. The Court imposed an immediate prohibition, appointed a Commissioner and listed the matter for 8 December 2026.
Did the State say events were still being held?
The State said no marriages or commercial operations were currently taking place and the 2022 tender had expired; the Court still ordered a complete prohibition and an independent inspection.
Conclusion
With a short but firm order, the Rajasthan High Court has closed Vidhyadhar Ka Bag to the wedding-and-party circuit and asked hard questions about how a forest-side monument came to be tendered out for commercial use. The Commissioner’s report will shape what comes next.
Practical takeaway: Where heritage or forest-adjacent sites are being used for noisy commercial events, a PIL backed by evidence can secure an immediate ban and an independent court inspection.
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