Shreya Gupta
The Jharkhand High Court has issued a notice to the Central and State Government in response to a petition seeking the preservation of ‘Parasnath Hill’ as a sacred site of worship, free from activities that could undermine its religious significance. The Bench, comprising of Chief Justice MS Ramachandra Rao and Justice Deepak Roshan, acknowledged the plea and directed the respondents to file a counter-affidavit before the next hearing scheduled for February 19, 2025.
The petition was filed by Jyot, a religious trust based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, under the guidance of Jainacharya Yugbhushansuri. The plea emphasizes the sanctity of Parasnath Hill, which is a revered pilgrimage site for the Jain community. The hill also includes a wildlife sanctuary, which has been subject to multiple governmental decisions over the years. The petition cites various assurances made by the government regarding the preservation of the site, including a 2015 commitment by the Jharkhand Chief Minister to develop Parasnath Hill as a global spiritual centre and a 2018 State government declaration recognizing its religious importance and pledging to protect it. Additionally, a 2019 notification by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change was issued for the conservation of the Parasnath Wildlife Sanctuary.
Further, the petition refers to a January 2023 Office Memorandum issued by the Central government, which imposed restrictions on tourism and eco-tourism activities in the area. This memorandum also enforced bans on the sale and consumption of liquor and non-vegetarian food items to uphold the religious sanctity of the site. However, the plea raises concerns over the lack of transparency in certain developmental projects, particularly the ropeway project, for which no public objections were invited. It also points out that new structures have appeared on the hill in recent years, despite not being present in historical maps. Moreover, Right to Information (RTI) applications seeking details on these developments were either delayed or left unanswered.
The petition references a 2004 judicial ruling, which affirmed the State’s obligation to protect the sanctity of Parasnath Hill and ensure that arrangements are made to respect Jain religious sentiments. The legal team representing the petitioner includes Senior Advocate Darius Khambata and Advocates Indrajit Sinha, Bhavik Lalan, Khushboo Kataruka, Subham Kataruka, and Ushma Pandey. The High Court’s intervention highlights the ongoing legal and religious concerns surrounding the preservation of Parasnath Hill, with the next hearing scheduled for February 19, 2025.
Case Title: Jyot v. State
Case Number: W.P.(PIL) No.231 of 2025
Bench: Chief Justice MS Ramachandra Rao and Justice Deepak Roshan