Nagpur: In a significant verdict, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has ruled that citizens cannot enter government offices or meet officials at their own will and must follow prescribed procedures. The court underscored that such regulations are vital to maintain order and ensure the smooth functioning of public administration.The judgment arose from a petition filed by Kishor Chakole of Nagpur, who challenged an order by Western Coalfields Ltd (WCL) declaring him persona non grata—an “unwelcome person.”
The order dated October 7, 2024, prohibited Chakole from entering WCL’s headquarters and other premises for three years due to alleged misconduct.A division bench comprising Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Rajnish Vyas dismissed Chakole’s plea, upholding the company’s decision. The court observed that Chakole’s repeated and arbitrary visits disrupted office operations and caused undue stress to officials, amounting to harassment.
The bench emphasized that fundamental rights are not absolute and may be subject to reasonable restrictions, particularly when public administration is at stake. It further noted that Chakole’s visits were not driven by genuine grievances but appeared intended to tarnish the reputation of government officers through incessant complaints.
While Chakole retains the right to lodge complaints, the court directed him to use the available online grievance mechanisms rather than visiting the offices in person.This ruling reinforces the principle that access to government offices must be regulated, balancing citizens’ rights with administrative efficiency and workplace decorum. Stay tuned to know more about it and others only with us and if you have anything to share do comment below and share your feedback as your thoughts.
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