In The Matter Of Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation Regarding News Item, Published In Navbharat, Bilaspur Dated 28-04-2026 vs The State Of Chhattisgarh & Ors.

Per Krushna Ram Mohapatra, Chief Justice

This Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been registered suo moto on the basis of a news item published in Hindi daily newspaper Navbharat dated 28-04-2026 with a heading “12^th की परीक्षा में खुलेआम कराई नकल, छात्रा ने 'स्टिंग' करके खोली पोल”

Accordingly, this Court took cognizance of the same on 28.04.2026 and directed the Secretary, School Education Department, Nawa Raipur (C.G.)/respondent No.2 to file the affidavit with regard to the incident which has been reported wherein students were being facilitated for using unfair means by the Invigilator. In compliance to the order of this Court, the Secretary/respondent No.2 filed his affidavit on 03^rd October 2026 indicating that explanation were called for from the five erring employees, namely, Shri Ganga Prasad Patel, Lecturer; Shri Aniruddha Bhoi, Lecturer; Shri Dinesh Kumar Das, Lecturer; Shri Durga Prasad Patel, Assistant Teacher (LB) and Smt. Vijiya Budek, Peon. The explanation being not satisfactory, charge-sheet dated 10.06.2026 was filed and communicated to the said delinquent employees. The Directorate of Public Instruction, Chhattisgarh, vide its order dated 31.07.2026 instituted the Departmental Enquiry (DE) under Rule 14 of the Chhattisgarh Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1966 against the said five delinquent employees. In the meantime, the Inquiry Officer (IO) and Presenting Officer have been appointed vide order darted 31.07.2026 and disciplinary enquiry is being conducted against the said five delinquent employees.

Thus, it appears from the affidavit of the Secretary/respondent No.2 that appropriate steps have already been taken against the said five delinquent employees for their alleged misconduct.

Since the competent authority is in seisin of the matter, we feel that no further monitoring of the issue involved herein is required by this Court at this stage.

Accordingly, the instant sou moto PIL stands disposed of with an observation that, if required in future, further appropriate proceeding may be initiated following due procedure of law.