The Allahabad High Court has dismissed a writ petition filed by advocate Sultan Chaudhary, who sought a departmental inquiry against Jal Nigam employee Sanjay Vidhuri @ Sanjay Kumar. Justice Ajay Bhanot held that the petitioner had no locus standi to initiate such action, as he was neither an employee nor the disciplinary authority under the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam service rules.
The court noted that appointments and disciplinary proceedings in the Jal Nigam are governed by statutory provisions and government orders, with competent authorities empowered to address misconduct.
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"Entertaining complaints from outsiders and busybodies can harm governance, lower morale, and open doors to harassment," the judge observed.
Citing precedents from the Supreme Court, the court reiterated that public interest litigation is not maintainable in service matters and that only an aggrieved party with enforceable legal rights can approach the court. The bench described the petition as mala fide, aimed at harassing the respondent, and remarked,
"Litigation cannot be a sport for the mischievous, and courts are not a playground for interlopers."
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The judgment also highlighted the higher ethical responsibility of advocates, cautioning against misuse of legal privileges. Noting a previous PIL by the same petitioner on similar grounds, the court imposed a penalty - directing Sultan Chaudhary to assist the Gautam Budh Nagar trial court in five cases on a pro Bono basis, to be assigned by the District Legal Services Authority.
The dismissal will not affect any ongoing proceedings against the respondent before other authorities, including the Lok Ayukta.
Case Title:- Sultan Choudhary vs. State of U.P. and Others
Case No.:- Writ - A No. 6124 of 2025
