The Chhattisgarh High Court has taken suo moto cognizance of a matter of public interest based on a recent report published in Dainik Bhaskar on December 25, 2024.

The report highlights grave allegations of misuse of public funds, widespread corruption, and substantial irregularities in the installation of solar street lights across multiple districts of Chhattisgarh.

The procurement process for solar street lights was found to be improper, as the tender process should have been conducted through the Chhattisgarh State Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA), which was not followed. Additionally, violations of the rules under the Bhandar Kray Niyam were observed.

A recent news report states that "the solar street lights could have been installed at a price of Rs. 25,000/- (including GST), whereas the payments for each solar street light made by the authorities of the State range from Rs. 47,000/- to Rs. 50,000/- which is sheer misuse of funds.”

The division bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal expressed strong disapproval due to alleged overpricing and procedural violations. The court directed, “Chairman & Secretary, Energy Department, Government of Chhattisgarh, to file his personal affidavit with respect to the aforesaid news report and also explain in detail the irregularities/misuse of funds alleged to have been made by various authorities of the State.”

Additional Advocate General Raj Kumar Gupta appeared on behalf of the State.

The public interest litigation arises from claims that 3,620 solar street lights were installed across 181 villages in the Bastar division at an inflated cost, resulting in the misuse of substantial public funds amounting to Rs. 17.23 crores. These irregularities were allegedly carried out under various schemes such as Adarsh Gram Yojna and Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojna.

Cause Title: In re: Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation based on News Item in Dainik Bhaskar, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh dated 25.12.2024 vs. State of Chhattisgarh & Ors.(WPPIL No. 110 of 2024)

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Chief Justice Ramesh SinhaJustice Ravindra Kumar AgrawalChhattisgarh High Court

Joyeeta Roy

Correspondent

Joyeeta is a Correspondent at Verdictum, with an LL.M. in Corporate and Commercial Law from Coochbehar Panchanan Barma University and a B.B.A. LL.B. from the Indian Institute of Legal Studies, West Bengal. Before joining Verdictum, she has worked as a Legal Editor.