The Allahabad High Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) requesting the Union Government to release the report dated 21.07.2023 from the Justice Rohini Commission.

Established on October 2, 2017, the Justice Rohini Commission, under the leadership of Justice G. Rohini, was tasked with the sub-categorization of Other Backward Classes (OBC) caste groups. Its objective was to promote a fairer allocation of reservation benefits among OBC communities in India.

The petitioner requested a writ of mandamus to compel the release of the report submitted in 2023. Conversely, the respondent's counsel argued that the report had been submitted to the President of India as per Article 340(2) of the Constitution of India, and subsequently, it would be presented before both houses of Parliament. It was contended that the report could not be disclosed to the public until this procedural requirement was fulfilled.

“The Commissioner has submitted its report to the President on 31.07.2023 in terms of Article 340 (2) of the Constitution and in terms of Article 340 (3), the report along with action taken thereon has to be placed before both the Houses of the Parliament and till such time that the process as prescribed is completed, the report cannot be placed in public domain.”

The bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and Justice Vikas Budhwar concluded that the directives presented by the respondent's counsel aligned with the provisions of Article 340. Consequently, they determined that the petitioner had not established a sufficient case.

Accordingly, the public interest litigation was dismissed.

Case Title: Eklavya Educational Foundation And Another Union Of India And 2 Others [PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION (PIL) No. - 667 of 2024]