Citizens Can't Claim Absolute Right To Visit Public Offices: Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court has ruled that citizens do not have an absolute right to physically enter government offices merely to lodge complaints.

A division bench in Nagpur upheld Western Coalfields Ltd.’s action declaring a man persona non grata, restraining him from entering the company’s premises after repeatedly harassing officials with frivolous complaints and visits.

The Court held that allowing unrestricted public access could disrupt administration. It said citizens may still use post, email, or online grievance mechanisms instead.

[Kishore Jairam Chakole v Western Coalfields Ltd.]