DEBIPRASAD BHOL Vs. STATE OF ODISHA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Debiprasad Bhol, addressed a fax message to the Hon ble the Acting Chief Justice seeking direction to the Government Agencies to take appropriate steps for making provisions for better roads, clearance of demarcation of passage, medical facilities to Kaudias to Statewide, which was entertained as a Public Interest Litigation and registered as W.P.(C) No. 13919 of 2014.

(2.) On perusal of the said letter, it appears that the practice of Kaudias is not only very ancient but also a strenuous one. The sacred expedition is undertaken in the month of Shrabana by thousands of devotees across the State to different temples of Lord Shiva for performing the Abhishek. The tradition of Kaudias is under serious threat due to complete negligence on the part of the Government. The Government has failed to provide bare necessities and facilities to the devotees, who undertake the pious journey by walking on bare feet for long distance to offer holy water to Lord Mahadev in various temples of the State. The difficulties include walking on bad road condition without any clearly demarcated pathway, no adequate medical aid, other facilities on the way, etc. Due to absence of clear demarcated area for passage of such large number of Kaudias, unwanted traffic congestion is caused not only resulting inconvenience to the passersby but also putting the life of the Kaudias at risk and most often the Kaudias noticed walking dangerously close to the highway near high speed vehicles. Due to damage of the path, it is impossible to walk on it and therefore the Kaudias come to the middle of the road risking their life and there is no light provisions in the diversions, which creates problem for the devotees and therefore the National Highways Authorities of India should look after the same. It is the duty of the State to give protection to such large number of devotees, numbering lakhs, who go for this sacred expedition. It is stated that large number of devotees come in between Suklapakhya Monday and Purnima and therefore necessary steps be taken for the safety and security of such large number of devotees.

(3.) While entertaining such message as a Public Interest Litigation, this Court vide order dated 28.07.2014 looking at the urgency of the matter which concerned the safety and security of a very large number of devotees, directed the Chief Secretary, of the State, D.G. Police, Commissioner of Police, Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, Collectors of all the districts, Chief Engineers of Water Resources Department, Urban Department, Rural Development Department, Works Department, Rural Engineering Department as well as NHAI Authorities to take immediate steps/to make immediate arrangements before 03.08.2014 for smooth movement as well as safety and security of the devotees/Kaudias throughout the State, and with further direction that for smooth movement and adequate lighting, arrangement be made in places of diversion of roads.