UKHC010140332026 2026:UHC:7020-DB IN THE HIGH COURT OF UTTARAKHAND AT NAINITAL THE HON’BLE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. MANOJ KUMAR GUPTA AND THE HON’BLE JUSTICE MR. SUBHASH UPADHYAY Writ Petition (PIL) No.100 of 2026 10th August, 2026 Dr. Baij Nath -----Petitioner Versus State of Uttarakhand and Others ----Respondents ----------------------------------------------------------------- Presence:- Mr. Pulak Raj Mullick and Mr. Sahil Mullick, learned counsel for the petitioner. Mr. Amarendra Pratap Singh, learned Addl. Advocate General, Mr. B.S. Parihar, learned Addl. C.S.C. and Mr. Rajeev Singh Bisht, learned Deputy Advocate General for the State of Uttarakhand/ respondent nos.1, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Mr. Pankaj Chaturvedi (through V.C.), learned Standing Counsel and Mr. Aryan Dev Uniyal, learned Standing Counsel for the Union of India / respondent no.2 through V.C. Mr. Raunak Pant, learned counsel holding brief of Mr. Naresh Pant, learned counsel for respondent no.3 through V.C. ----------------------------------------------------------------- JUDGMENT : (per Mr. Manoj Kumar Gupta C. J.) 1. Heard learned counsel for the parties. 2. By means of present public interest litigation, the petitioner has prayed for a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to produce complete records relating to the Planning, Designing, Execution, Supervision, Inspection, Quality Control, Certification and Reconstruction of the Nanda-Ki-Chowki Bridge; to constitute an independent High-Level Expert Committee 1 UKHC010140332026 2026:UHC:7020-DB for investigating the causes of collapse of a part of the Nandai-Ki-Chawki Bridge and for other ancillary reliefs. 3. The petition highlights the concerns arising out of the collapse of a part of the Nanda-Ki-Chawki Bridge soon after it was opened for the public. The petitioner has alleged that the contactor for the said project, namely, respondent no.8 was chosen on extraneous consideration in as much as Smt. Ruchi Bhatt, one of the partners of the respondent firm, is Pradesh Adhyaksh of Mahila Morcha of B.J.P. and thus the contract was awarded on account of her political influence. 4. The petitioner apprehends that the respondent would not hold any inquiry nor punish any officials and contractors. 5. Learned State Counsel has placed on record the instructions received from the Regional Office P.W.D., Dehradun dated 07.08.2026 and from which it transpires that a preliminary inquiry is being held under the Chief Engineer, Zonal Office, P.W.D. Dehradun. 6. Learned State Counsel submits that three Engineers have already been suspended. 7. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of respondent no.8 states that registration of contract of 2 UKHC010140332026 2026:UHC:7020-DB respondent no.8 has also been suspended. He states that the defect liability period is three years and the defect in the bridge is covered under the defect liability clause. 8. It appears that the State Government has already instituted an enquiry and has taken adequate actions. Therefore, at this stage, in our considered opinion, no further order is required and the final outcome of the inquiry should be awaited. 9. Accordingly, the proceedings of the present PIL are closed at this stage. 10. Pending application, if any, also stands disposed of. (MANOJ KUMAR GUPTA, C. J.) (SUBHASH UPADHYAY, J.) Dated: 10.08.2026 SS 3