BIDHAN KUMAR Vs. STATE OF BIHAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Facts and Proceedings This present public interest litigation is filed seeking direction for restoration of water supply in the Tarabigha Saidnala Canal in the village of Khirbhojna in District Nawadah, Bihar as also reconstruction of damage portion thereof. Additionally, the petitioner seeks specific direction to District Magistrate, Nawadah for the protection and preservation of the canal which had been damaged by some villagers leading to suspension of flow of water to twenty five villages.

(2.) It is contended by the petitioner that the pandemic and resultant lockdowns forced a large number of people to return home to Bihar leaving for them, no source of income other than tilling of their lands to produce food. It is submitted in para 7 of the petition that each of these 450 persons, a list of whose name is given as Annexure-1, have four family members each, at least, and so this crisis affects more than 1800 persons.

(3.) The lands in the village Tarabigha and the other villages in Block Katrisarai are majorly dependent upon the above mentioned canal which is running dry since 2017 due to blockade caused by villagers of Khirbhojna. Further, that an FIR has been lodged in this regard (Anneuxre-2). It is submitted that the villagers have no water for either consumption or agriculture leading to extinguishment of income and the opportunity to plan seasonal crops as also endangering the paddy plantation season fast approaching.