2026:JHHC:14199-DB 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI W.P. (PIL) No. 1831 of 2026 Anand Kumar Pandey, S/o Dharmdev Pandey, R/o Village-Pandu, P.O. & P.S.-Pandu, District-Palamau ….. Petitioner Versus 1. The State of Jharkhand, through the Chief Secretary, Ranchi 2. Chief Secretary, Government of Jharkhand, Ranchi 3. Principal Secretary, Rural Development Department, Government of Jharkhand, Ranchi 4. Principal Secretary, Panchayati Raj Department, Government of Jharkhand, Ranchi 5. Commissioner, MGNREGA, Government of Jharkhand, Ranchi 6. Deputy Commissioner, Palamau 7. Deputy Development Commissioner, Palamau 8. District Panchayati Raj Officer, Palamau 9. Block Development Officer, Pandu, Palamau 10. Mukhiya Rita Devi, W/o Balmukund Paswan @ Balo Paswan, R/o Village-Kuliya, P.O.-Kajru Khurd, P.S.-Pandu, District-Palamau 11. Sunil Pal, S/o Jasdeo Pal, R/o Village-Kuliya, P.O.-Kajru Khurd, P.S.-Pandu, District-Palamau ….. Respondents ----- CORAM HON’BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH SHANKAR ----- For the Petitioner: Mr. Mahesh Tewari, Advocate For the State: Mr. Piyush Chitresh, A.C. to A.G. ----- 02/11.05.2026 1. Heard Mr. Mahesh Tewari, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. Piyush Chitresh, learned A.C. to A.G. for the respondent- State. 2. For the order that we propose to make, notice is not necessary to the respondent Nos. 10 & 11. 3. The petitioner complains that despite the report dated 22.07.2025 of Lokpal (MGNREGA), Palamau, neither the Deputy Commissioner, Palamau nor the Deputy Development Commissioner, Palamau are taking any action based upon the same. 2026:JHHC:14199-DB 2 4. The petitioner alleges that the respondent Nos. 10 & 11 have misused the MGNREGA’s funds and therefore the Lokpal (MGNREGA), Palamau is required to intervene. The Lokpal (MGNREGA), Palamau, by his report dated 22.07.2025, has found prima-facie merit in the allegations against the respondent Nos. 10 & 11. 5. The Deputy Commissioner, Palamau, by communication dated 22.07.2025, has forwarded the report of the Lokpal (MGNREGA), Palamau to the Deputy Development Commissioner, Palamau to take further action in accordance with law. However, there is no progress in the matter. 6. Accordingly, we direct the Deputy Commissioner, Palamau and the Deputy Development Commissioner, Palamau to take the proceedings based upon the report dated 22.07.2025 of the Lokpal (MGNREGA), Palamau to its logical conclusion. If any action is proposed to be taken against any of the parties including the respondent Nos. 10 & 11, principles of natural justice and fair play shall have to be followed. This is the reason why, at this stage, we do not deem it necessary to issue notice to the respondent Nos. 10 & 11. 7. In the peculiar facts of the present case, since the petitioner is pursuing the matter, we direct the Deputy Commissioner, Palamau and the Deputy Development Commissioner, Palamau to also hear the petitioner along with the respondent Nos. 10 & 11 or any other parties, who are likely to be affected or against whom any action is proposed to be taken and dispose of the matter. 2026:JHHC:14199-DB 3 8. The proceedings should be completed as expeditiously as possible and preferably within four months from today. 9. We clarify that we have not examined the allegations made in the writ petition against the respondent Nos. 10 & 11. Therefore, all contentions of the parties are left open to be raised and decided by the Deputy Commissioner, Palamau and the Deputy Development Commissioner, Palamau at the first instance. 10. With the above directions, we dispose of this writ petition without any order for costs. (M. S. SONAK, C.J.) (RAJESH SHANKAR, J.) 11.05.2026 Satish/Vikas/