SANJAY RAJAK Vs. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. Amit Soni, learned counsel for the petitioner in WPPIL No. 58 of 2019. Also heard Mr. Prafull N. Bharat assisted by Mr. Yashwant Singh Thakur, learned Additional Advocate General, appearing for the respondents/State, Mr. Dhiraj Kumar Wankhede, learned counsel appearing for respondent/NHAI, Mr. Ramakant Mishra, learned Deputy Solicitor General and Mr. Tushar Dhar Diwan, learned Central Government Counsel, appearing for the respondent/ UOI, Mr. Bhupendra Singh, Mr. Anuroop Panda, Dr. Sudeep Agrawal, Ms. Swati Agrawal, Ms. Chetna Sharma, Ms. Shruti Pramar holding brief of Mr. A.S. Kachhawaha, Mr. Sourabh Sharma, Mr. Avinash K. Mishra and Mr. Ashish Tiwari learned counsel for the respective respondents, Mr. Goutam Khetrapal, learned counsel, appearing for the intervenor, Mr. Ramakant Pandey, learned counsel appearing in person as intervenor and Mr. Rajkumar Mishra, intervenor in person, appearing through video conferencing.

(2.) It has been brought to the notice of this Court that today also, one incident of road accident took place in the National Highway, in which as many as 07 cattles have been died and such incidents are being taken place on regular intervals.

(3.) The Project Director of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is directed to file personal affidavit in order to demonstrate before this Court regarding measures taken by the NHAI with respect to stray cattle found on the road due to which accidents are being taking place and loss of human lives as well as death of animals in large numbers are seen through News items and Social Media, which goes to show that inspite of fact that though the State and the NHAI are taking some measures to curb the said problem, but the said measures are insufficient. Hence, we direct the NHAI to take some positive measures in order to aware the public at large that they should be cautious while driving as well as they should be made aware through all modes as they may deem fit with respect to travelling cautiously on the road so that no untoward incident happens to the persons as well as to the animals, which are found sitting on the road.