Patna High Court Raps Bihar Over Neglect of Barabar Caves

The Patna High Court has come down heavily on the Bihar government and the Jehanabad district administration over the state of the Barabar Caves, the Mauryan-era rock-cut site that dates to the 3rd century BCE.

Hearing a petition, a single bench of Justice Rajiv Roy questioned why the monument had been allowed to slide into neglect, contrasting its condition with the upkeep of heritage sites elsewhere in the country. The court asked whether such a site would have been treated this way had it been located in another part of the world, or in southern, western or central India, where Buddhist sites draw tourists and generate revenue.

It pointed out that the Barabar Caves in Bihar and the Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh were both built under Emperor Ashoka around the same period, yet the two are maintained very differently. The Ajanta and Ellora caves in Maharashtra, the court noted, show how infrastructure and attention to visitors can translate into year-round earnings for the state.

The bench was hearing a plea by Rajballav Prasad, the successful bidder for the 2024-25 Barabar Shravani Mela, who had challenged a penalty imposed on him for delayed payment of the tender amount.

Revenue without reinvestment

The court observed that the district administration appeared focused on collecting revenue, such as tender fees, while spending almost nothing on infrastructure at the site. It said courts have repeatedly held that income from the Sravani Mela should go towards improving the region, with permanent arrangements for sanitation, security and facilities. Those elements were missing in 2024 and remain missing, the bench said, adding that the administration had learnt no lessons.

On cleanliness, the court was blunt: the area around the caves does not reflect a great Mauryan site but resembles a village without basic amenities, with garbage scattered around and people forced to use open spaces.

The Forest Department was also pulled up over the dilapidated inspection bungalow under its charge, with the court noting that officials had failed to beautify or protect the natural surroundings of the caves.

No more temporary fixes

The bench made clear that seasonal water tankers, temporary toilets and mobile health camps set up only for the month-long Sravani Mela would no longer be accepted through affidavits.

The Jehanabad District Magistrate has been directed to produce a complete record of revenue collected and money spent on development over the past five years. The Superintendent of Police has been asked to report on steps taken to ensure visitor safety and prevent a repeat of the 2024 stampede, in which seven people died on August 12.

The court directed the administration to submit a detailed blueprint within six weeks covering permanent construction, clean drinking water, sanitation, security and green cover, warning that strict penalties would follow for non-compliance.

A special committee headed by the District and Sessions Judge, Jehanabad, along with key administrative officers, has been constituted to physically inspect the site and file an independent report directly with the court.

The matter is listed for September 28 for the compliance report, with further hearing fixed for November 2.