"Prayers too vague:" Allahabad High Court refuses to entertain PIL on alleged corruption in Madrasas

The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging corruption in the appointment of teaching and non-teaching staff in certain Madarsas in Uttar Pradesh [Mohammad Imran v. State of Uttar Pradesh and Others]..A Division Bench of Justices Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Subhash Vidyarthi observed that the prayers sought by the petitioner are omnibus and vague in nature."It is apparent that the prayers, instead of being specific, are omnibus in nature. The prayer to issue such a direction is absolutely vague and general in nature. To issue direction to the officers to carry out lawful duties with honesty appears absolutely vague. The second prayer made in this petition is also vaguely worded," the Court said.The PIL was moved by one Mohammad Imran, a farmer, seeking following prayers:"i. Issue a writ, order or direction in the nature of Mandamus there by commanding the opposite parties number 1 to 4 to carry out their lawful duties with honesty in the whole state of U.P. within time frame as pleases this Hon'ble Court so that huge public funds swallowed by culprits for running Madarsas only on paper may be recovered from them and they may be prosecuted expeditiously as soon as possible in the interest of justice.ii. Issue a writ, order or direction in the nature of Mandamus thereby commanding the opposite party No.5 to take every lawful steps immediately against the culprits who swallowed the huge public fund by showing and running Madarsas on paper and who make illegal appointments during lockdown of 2020 for recovery of the said fund from their property and to get them prosecuted in expeditious manner in the interest of justice.iii. Issue any other order or direction which this Hon'ble Court deems fit and proper in the interest of justice."After referring to the pleadings in the PIL and the documents annexed to the petition, the Court noted that they are inadequate and insufficient to throw any light on the nature of alleged corruption in the Madrasas.Therefore, the Court refused to entertain the plea. However, the Court left it open to the petitioner to persuade the appropriate authorities to bring to their notice the specific instances of corruption in regard to siphoning of the public funds and illegal appointments etc."Once any such an application is made by the petitioner to either of these authorities, it will be the legal obligation upon these authorities to consider the issue and take the matter to its logical end," the Court stated disposing of the plea.Advocate Madan Gopal Tripathi appeared for the petitioner. Additional Chief Standing Counsel Amitabh Rai and advocate Afzal Ahmad Siddiqui appeared for the respondents.[Story to be updated with order]