2026:JHHC:17817 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI W.P.(C) No.4162 of 2026 ------ 1. Indradev Mehta, S/o Late Bhagi Mahto. 2. Koleshwar Mehta, S/o late Chowa Mahto. 3. Chotan Mahto, S/o Late Niru Mahto. 4. Ghanshyam Mahto, S/o Late Jobar Mahto. 5. Chander Mahto, S/o Late Anahch Mahto. All are residence of Village Lawa Kudar, P.O. Dato Khurd, P.S. Katkamsandi, District Hazaribag, Jharkhand. … … Petitioners Versus 1. The State of Jharkhand. 2. The Principal Secretary of the Department of Revenue & Land Reforms, having its office at Project Bhawan, P.O & P.S. Dhurwa, District Ranchi. 3. Principal Secretary, Forest and Environmental Department, Nepal House, P.O. & P.S. Doranda, District Ranchi, Jharkhand. 4. The Deputy Commissioner, Hazaribagh, P.O. + P.S. + District Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. 5. The District Forest Settlement Officer, Hazaribagh, having its office at Van Bhawan, P.O. + P.S. + District Hazaribagh. 6. The Circle Officer, Katkamsandi, P.O. & P.S. Katkamsandi, District Hazaribagh. 7. The Divisional Forest Officer, (west), P.O. + P.S. + District Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. … … Respondents ------ CORAM : SRI ANANDA SEN, J. ------ For the Petitioners : Mr. Gautam Kumar Pandey, Advocate Mr. Manoj Kumar Choubey, Advocate For the Respondent : Mr. Manoj Kumar, Advocate ------ 02/ 18.06.2026 By filing this writ petition, the petitioners have prayed for the following reliefs :- “A. For issuance of an appropriate writ(s) / order(s) and / or direction(s) upon the respondent no.7 to follow the order passed by Respondent No.5 in Case No.69 of 1964-65 (Annexure-3) and Case No.71 of 1964-65 (Annexure-4) as the respondent along with their staff are creating hinderance in cultivation over the lands of 2026:JHHC:17817 2 petitioners over Khata no.3 plot No.28, 29 and 38 measuring total area of 47.04 Acres of Village- Lawakudar, Thana No.9, P.O. & P.S. Katkamsandi, District Hazaribagh, or a writ commanding upon the respondents to stop excavation, planation, dispossession over the land of Khata No.3, Plot No.28, 29, 38. B. For issuance of an appropriate writ(s) / order(s) and / or direction(s) particularly the writ of mandamus upon the Respondent No.7 to pass reasoned or speaking order to the application filed by the petitioners (Annexure-5) by issuing direction upon his staffs (Sub-ordinates) to not annoy, disturb in the peaceful enjoyment over the land of petitioners in any manner. C. For issuance of an appropriate writ(s) / order(s) and / or direction upon the Respondent no.4 & 5 to take legal action as per law upon the erring officers working under respondent no.7 who are deliberately, intentionally with malafide intention and for oblique purpose creating obstacle in the use over the land of the petitioners as mentioned above.” 2. Heard learned counsel representing the petitioners and learned counsel representing the respondents. 3. It is the grievance of the petitioners that the respondents are continuously creating hindrance over the peaceful possession of the petitioners on the land, in spite of the fact that settlement had been made by the Forest Settlement Officer in favour of the petitioners. 4. Considering the nature of grievance, I direct the petitioners to file their fresh respective representation before the Deputy Commissioner, Hazaribagh, who after going through the 2026:JHHC:17817 3 records maintained by the Revenue Department and the documents produced by the petitioners, will pass an appropriate order on the representations. 4.1. If it is found that the title is in favour of the petitioners, appropriate steps will be taken by the Deputy Commissioner, Hazaribagh, to ensure that the petitioners are not disturbed, but if there is some dispute in respect of the title, it will be open to the petitioners to file an appropriate suit before the Civil Court and also to pray for an interim order, by filing an application under Order XXXIX Rule 1 & 2 of the CPC. 4.2. It is expected that the representation of the petitioners will be disposed within six weeks from the date of filing of the representations along with this order. 5. With the aforesaid direction, this writ petition stands disposed of. (ANANDA SEN, J.) 18th June, 2026 Prashant. Cp-2 Uploaded on 22.06.2026