1 2026:CGHC:10209-DB NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPPIL No. 99 of 2025 1 - In The Matter of Suo Moto Public Intrest Litigation, Regarding News Item Namely Asanvedansheel Prashashan Purani Lift Band, Nayi Granite Ke Intejar Me Shuru Nahi Composite Building Ki Lift 6 Mahine Se Kharab, Divyang Mushkil Se Chadh Rahe Seedhiyan... Kya System Baishakhi Par Hai Published In Daily Newspaper Dainik Bhaskar, Bilaspur Bhaskar Dated 8th November, 2025 ... Petitioner versus 1 - The State of Chhattisgarh Through Chief Secretary, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Nawa Raipur, Chhattisgarh 2 - The Secretary Public Works Department, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh 3 - The Secretary Social Welfare, Nishaktjan, Atal Nagar, Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh 4 - The Collector Bilaspur, District Bilaspur Chhattisgarh 5 - Chief Engineer Public Works Department, Bilaspur, District Bilaspur Chhattisgarh ... Respondents For State/ Respondent(s) : Mr. Praveen Das, Addl. Advocate General. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Hon'ble Shri Ravindra Kumar Agrawal, Judge Digitally signed by MOHAMMED AADIL KHAN Date: 2026.03.03 15:30:34 +0530 2 Order on Board Per Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice 27-02-2026 1. This is an office reference. 2. This Court had taken suo motu cognizance of a news item with the heading " कं पोजिट बि ኌ᭕ग की लिफ्ट 6 महीने से खरा , बिव्यांग मुቋኌ क से चढ़ रहे सीबिढ़यां... क्या जिसस्टम वैसाखी पर है?" and the sub heading " असंवेनशी ्ቚशासन पुरानी लिफ्ट ं, नई ्ቇेनाइट के इंतार में शुरू नहीं" published in the "Bilaspur Bhaskar" edition of the "Dainik Bhaskar" newspaper dated 08.11.2025 which was a deeply concerning state of affairs prevailing in the new composite Government building, which houses the offices of 22 different Government departments. 3. According to the said news report, the elevator/lift installed in the building was out of order for the past six months. A new elevator/lift was also under construction, but despite the lapse of considerable time, it had not been made functional, reportedly due to delays in installation work such as granite fitting. Consequently, the entire building, which is three storeys high and contains 72 stairs in total, remained without any operational lift facility. The report highlighted that approximately 250 Government officials and employees work in this composite building, and an equal number of citizens visit these Government departments daily for their essential work. Nearly 500 people commute in and out of the building every day, yet the absence of a functional lift has caused widespread inconvenience and hardship. A particularly distressing aspect revealed in the news item was that four disabled employees 3 were posted in this building, namely Santoshi Dhruv, Labour Inspector; Deepak Tiwari of the Planning and Statistics Department; and K.S. Paikra and S. Yadav of the Town and Country Planning Department. With the elevator/lift not functioning, these disabled employees were compelled to climb the stairs daily. The report described in detail the ordeal of Labour Inspector Santoshi Dhruv, who, using crutches, was compelled to climb 24 steps to reach the first floor, placing one foot at a time and relying on the railing and crutches for support. This routine, repeated every day, visibly demonstrated the severe physical strain faced by disabled personnel. The news report also pointed out that Government rules mandate the presence of functional lifts, ramps, and wheelchair facilities in all public buildings for the convenience of disabled persons. Further, in case of failure of such facilities, temporary arrangements must be provided on the ground floor. However, the situation in the composite building showed complete disregard for these directives, as no ground floor arrangements had been made despite the long duration of lift failure. In addition to the lack of accessibility, the report noted that basic amenities such as drinking water were also unavailable on any floor of the building. Employees reportedly had to pool funds to purchase water bottles from the market, as the building, constructed in 2013 at a cost of approximately Rs. 8 crore, did not have a drinking water facility. Employees from various Government departments wrote to the Collector requesting that the lift be repaired and the new lift made operational at the earliest. Lastly, the news report mentioned that instructions had been issued to the Public Works 4 Department (PWD) to expedite and complete the lift installation work as soon as possible. However, the prolonged non functioning of the existing lift and the delay in completion of the new lift raised questions about administrative sensitivity and efficiency, as reflected in the tone of the news article. 4. Considering the fact that the issues of grave public importance highlighted in the aforesaid news report, this Court deemed it appropriate to call for the personal response of the authority concerned. Accordingly, vide order dated 10.11.2025, the Secretary, Public Works Department, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Nava Raipur was directed to file his personal affidavit clearly indicating the status of the repair of the lift, the reasons for the prolonged delay in making the new lift operational, the timeline within which both lifts would be made functional, and the steps proposed to ensure accessibility and availability of basic amenities within the composite Government building. 5. In compliance of this Courts order dated 10.11.2025, the Secretary filed his personal affidavit on 12.11.2025. From perusal of the said affidavit it was observed that a new lift has been made operational, and the old lift, which was non-functional, would be made functional after necessary repairs within 15 days. As regards the other amenities, the same was stated to have fallen within the domain of the Collector / District Magistrate, Bilaspur. The Collector/District Magistrate, Bilaspur was, therefore, directed to ensure that the basic amenities would be provided to the composite building and he was also directed file his 5 personal affidavit by the next date. A fresh affidavit was also filed by the Secretary, Public Works Department, Government of Chhattisgarh regarding the old lift being made functional within 15 days. Vide order dated 13.11.2025, the Secretary, Public Works Department, Government of Chhattisgarh and the Collector / District Magistrate, Bilaspur were directed to file their affidavits. 6. In compliance of the Courts order dated 13.11.2025, the Collector, District Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh filed his personal affidavit and after perusal of the same it was observed that the civil maintenance work, including the repair of damaged urinals, wash basins, toilet seats and urinal waste pipes, has been completed in compliance with the directions issued previously by this Court. The supply of drinking water has also been restored. It further appeared that the electrical system and lighting arrangements in the toilets and other areas of the New Composite Building were functioning properly. All non-functional bulbs and tube lights have been replaced, and lighting has been provided in locations where no illumination previously existed. It was further observed that the affidavit disclosed that a total of 26 government offices are operating from the New Composite Building at Bilaspur, which comprises three floors apart from the ground floor. To ensure the availability and maintenance of essential amenities across all floors, the deponent has, vide order dated 25.11.2025, appointed Floor-Incharge Officers. These officers have been tasked with coordinating with the departments situated on their respective floors and ensuring proper upkeep of basic facilities such as elevators, generator 6 maintenance, drinking water, toilets and overall cleanliness. The order further stipulates that the heads of the departments shall extend necessary cooperation to the Floor-Incharge Officers for maintaining essential arrangements. It was further appeared that the civil and electrical maintenance works in the New Composite Building have been completed, and Floor- Incharge Officers have been appointed to ensure continued upkeep of basic amenities. This Court deemed it appropriate to keep the matter under further supervision of this Court. 7. Thereafter, the matter has been listed today for further monitoring. Learned State counsel submits that, in compliance of the directions of this Court, prompt steps have already been taken by the concerned authorities. The civil and electrical maintenance works in the New Composite Building have been completed, and Floor-Incharge Officers have been appointed to ensure continued upkeep of basic amenities. 8. According to the learned State counsel, necessary and corrective measures have already been taken and all issues highlighted in the news report have been duly addressed by the authorities concerned. 9. In view of the above submission made by learned Addl. Advocate General, no further direction is required to be passed by this Court and as such, this case is consigned to records. Sd/- Sd/- (Ravindra Kumar Agrawal) (Ramesh Sinha) Judge Chief Justice Aadil