2026:JHHC:18118 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI W.P.(C) No. 4254 of 2026 Mangal Lohra, S/o Late Viraj Lohra, R/o Village- Dokad, P.O. Jonha, P.S. Angara, District Ranchi, Jharkhand .... Petitioner(s). Versus 1.The State of Jharkhand through the Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, At- Project Building, P.O. & P.S. Dhurwa, Ranchi, Jharkhand 2.The Deputy Commissioner, Ranchi 3.The Deputy Collector Land Reforms (DCLR), Ranchi 4.The Circle Officer (C.O), Angara, Ranchi 5.Pooja Mahila Samiti, At Village Dokad, P.O. Jonha, P.S. Angard, District Ranchi (An unregistered body, through its Secretary/ President). … Respondent(s). …… CORAM : SRI ANANDA SEN, J. ------ For the Petitioner(s) : Mr. Shubham Mishra, Advocate Mr. Gyandev Raj, Advocate Mr. Kazi Asif Iqubal, Advocate For the State : Ms. Shalini Shahdeo, AC to SC (L&C)-I …...... 02/ 22.06.2026: Heard, learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel for the State. 2. Petitioner is only challenging a notice issued by the Circle Officer, Angara, Ranchi. The said notice is under Section 3 of the Jharkhand Public Land Encroachment Act, 2000 by which a proceeding has been initiated against the petitioner. 3. From perusal of the said notice, I find that the petitioner has been directed to file a reply to the show-cause as to why not the petitioner be declared as encroacher and thereafter, the encroachment be removed in respect of portion of the land. It has also been mentioned that if the petitioner does not appear, the proceeding will continue ex- parte. 4. Since, merely a notice has been issued to the petitioner and the same cannot be said to be without jurisdiction, I am not inclined to interfere with the notice, at this stage. Petitioner should appear and file his defence, which should be considered and a reasoned order should be passed by the authority after conclusion of the said proceeding. The reasoned order should also be communicated to the petitioner. 5. With the aforesaid observation, the instant writ petition stands disposed of. (ANANDA SEN, J.) 22nd June, 2026 R.S./ Uploaded on 24 /06/2026.