2026:JHHC:3035-DB 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI W.P.(PIL) No. 655 of 2024 -- Gramin Ekta Manch through its President namely Ranjit Singh alias Bablu Singh aged about-46 years, son of Late Girja Singh, R/o–Gopalichak No.2, P.O- Kusunda, P.S- Putki, Dist-Dhabad, Jharkhand .... Petitioner(s) Versus 1. The State of Jharkhand. 2. Deputy Commissioner, Dhanbad, P.O and P.S-Dhanbad, Dist-Dhanbad 3. Executive Engineer, Road Division, Dhanbad, P.O and P.S-Dhanbad, Dist-Dhanbad. 4. Chief Managing Director, M/s. Bharat Coking Coal Limited, having its office at: Koyla Bhawan, Koyla Nagar, Dhanbad, P.O and P.S-Dhanbad, Dist-Dhanbad 5. General Manager, P.B Area No. 7, M/S. Bharat Coking Coal Limited, P.O and P.S-Putki, Dist-Dhanbad, Jharkhand 6. Manager, SNR-SI-VSA (JV) Outsourcing Company Camp Office, Gopalichak, Pasi Dhora 01 Number, P.O- Kusunda, P.S-Putki, Dist-Dhanbad 7. Municipal Commissioner, Dhanbad Municipal Corporation, P.O and P.S-Dhanbad, Dist-Dhanbad 8. Senior Superintendent of Police, Dhanbad, P.O and P.S- Dhanbad, Dist-Dhanbad 9. Sub-Divisional Officer, Dhanbad, P.O and P.S.-Dhanbad, Dist-Dhanbad .... Respondent(s) CORAM: HON’BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE DEEPAK ROSHAN -- For Petitioner(s) : Ms. Sugandha Khalkho, A.C. to Mr. Soumitra Baroi, Advocate For Respondent-BCCL : Mr. Sharon Toppo, A.C. to Dr. Ashok Kr. Singh, Advocate For Respondent No.6 : Mr. Shailesh Kumar Singh, Advocate For Respondent-State : Mr. Arun Kr. Dubey, A.C. to G.P.-III For Respondent No.7 : Mr. Mahavir Prasad Sinha, Advocate Mr. Santosh Kr. Jha, Advocate -- 06/05.02.2026 Heard Ms. Sugandha Khalkho, who appears on behalf of Mr. Soumitra Baroi, for the petitioner, Mr. Arun Kumar Dubey, A.C. to G.P-III for the State, Mr. Sharon 2026:JHHC:3035-DB 2 Toppo, A.C. to Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh for BCCL and Mr. Shailesh Kumar Singh, learned counsel for the 6th Respondent. 2. On 21.11.2025, Co-ordinate Bench of this Court made the following order in this Public Interest Litigation: “1. The instant writ petition has been filed for grant of following reliefs: “(i) For issuance of an appropriate writ(s)/ order(s)/ direction(s) from this Hon'ble Court commanding upon the concerned respondents to close the illegal cut made on the divider, reconstruct the divider, put back the net and repair the street lights on the Dhanbad Bokaro Main Road at Karkend; (ii) For issuance of an appropriate writ(s)/ order(s)/ direction(s) from this Hon'ble Court commanding upon the concerned respondents authorities to take action upon the officials of SNR-SI-VSA (JV) Outsourcing Company for causing the illegal cut thereby risking the lives of the people as well as damaging the street lights and making the said place accident prone;” 2. The respondent no. 3 i.e., the Executive Engineer, Road Division, Dhanbad has filed his counter affidavit wherein it has been admitted that a cut has been made by the outsourcing company of M/s. BCCL for transportation of coal products at Karkend on Dhanbad-Bokaro main road. 3. In this view of the matter, the Secretary, Road Construction Department, Government of Jharkhand, Ranchi is directed to construct the divider immediately at the expenses of M/s. BCCL to be eventually recovered from the outsourcing agency. 4. Let the needful be done within 15 days. 5. M/s. BCCL shall also restore the streetlight(s) meanwhile. 6. Compliance report as well as status report along with the photographs shall be filed by M/s. BCCL within the aforesaid period. 7. List this case on 12.12.2025.” 3. In pursuance of the above order, Mr. Sonu Kumar, the Deputy Manager of BCCL has filed an affidavit-cum- compliance report dated 19.12.2025. 4. Paragraph nos. 5 and 6 of BCCL’s affidavit read as follows: “5. That in compliance with the order of this Hon’ble Court passed in this case on 21.11.2025 the street lights have been restored by the respondent BCCL. 6. That in place of the divider a vehicle under pass is being constructed by the funds provided by the respondent BCCL. This is likely to be completed by March, 2026.” 2026:JHHC:3035-DB 3 5. The statement that street lights have been restored by BCCL is accepted. Still, the State Government representatives and the Dhanbad Municipal Corporation Authorities must verify that the street lights have indeed been restored by the respondent-BCCL and are properly functioning. 6. As regards the grievance concerning the divider, the BCCL has stated that an underpass is being constructed by the funds provided by respondent-BCCL. There is a further statement that this is likely to be completed by March, 2026. Since this statement is a little vague, we direct the concerned authorities to complete the construction of the underpass positively before 31.03.2026. The learned counsel for the BCCL states that necessary funds have already been provided or in any event, will be immediately provided so that the underpass construction is completed by 31.03.2026. 7. The statement made on behalf of BCCL is accepted as an undertaking to this Court. The BCCL and the concerned authorities who are now constructing the underpass must file a compliance report in this Court by 10.04.2026 with advance copy to the learned counsel for the petitioner. This is despite the fact that we are disposing of this petition by accepting the statements made by and on behalf of BCCL as an undertaking to this Court. 2026:JHHC:3035-DB 4 8. If no compliance report is filed or the copy thereof furnished to the learned counsel for the petitioner by 10.04.2026, the petitioner will be at liberty to file a miscellaneous petition in this disposed of petition, pointing out the non-compliance. In such an eventuality, we will consider imposing substantial costs on the BCCL or other parties responsible for the cut/damage to the road divider. For the present, we award no costs, proceeding on the premise that the damage was accidental and that those responsible for the damage are taking steps to redress it. 9. This petition is disposed of subject to the BCCL filing a compliance report by 10.04.2026. For the present, there shall be no order for costs. 10. All concerned are to act on an authenticated copy of this order. (M. S. Sonak, C.J.) (Deepak Roshan, J.) 5th February, 2026 Jk/Amit Uploaded on 12/02/2026