2026:JHHC:7501 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI W.P.(C) No. 1637 of 2026 ------ Forest Rights Committee, Gram Sabha Dand, Through its President Tuleshwar Saw S/o Lt. Horil Saw, aged about 53 years, R/o Dand, P.O. & P.S. Danr, District- Hazaribagh. … … Petitioner(s) Versus 1. State of Jharkhand, through its Chief Secretary, having its Office at Project Bhawan, P.O. & P.S. Dhurwa, District- Ranchi, Jharkhand. 2. Deputy Commissioner, Hazaribagh, having its office at Collectorate, P.O. Hazaribagh H.O. & P.S. Muffasil, District- Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. 3. Sub-Divisional Officer, Sadar having its Office at SDO Office, Hazaribagh Collectorate, P.O. Hazaribagh H.O. & P.S. Mufafasil, District- Hazaribagh. 4. Circle Officer, Katkamsandi, having its office at Circle Office, Katkamsandi, P.O. & P.S. Katkamsandi, District- Hazaribagh. 5. Divisional Forest Officer, Hazaribagh, West Division having its Office at Van Bhavan, Near New Hazaribagh, P.O. Hazaribagh, H.O. & P.S. Muffasil Dist- Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. … … Respondent(s) ------ CORAM : SRI ANANDA SEN, J. ------ For the Petitioner(s) : Mr. Shailesh Poddar, Advocate. Mr. Shashak Shekhar No.3, Advocate. Mr. Xenia Dhar, Advocate. For the Respondent(s) : Mr. Rajiv Ranjan, A.G. ------ 02/ 18th March, 2026 1. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the application claiming forest rights is pending before respondent no.3 (Sub-Divisional Officer, Sadar, Hazaribagh) since long. He submits that suffice it would be if a direction is given to the respondents to dispose of the representation by passing a reasoned order as per law within a specified time. 2. Learned counsel for the respondents submits that the said application will be considered and an appropriate order will be passed as per law within a period of 12 weeks from today. 3. Considering the said submission, I direct the respondent no.3 (Sub-Divisional Officer, Sadar, Hazaribagh) to pass a reasoned order as per law and disposed of the application of the petitioner within 12 weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. (ANANDA SEN, J.) 18.03.2026 Amar/- Uploaded on:-07.04.2026.