1 2026:CGHC:22822 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPC No. 2486 of 2026 1 - Aftab Momin S/o Mohamdin Momin Aged About 33 Years R/o House No. 159 Bajar Para, Village - Ganjar, Tehsil And Post Office Ramchandrapur, District Balrampur - Ramanujganj (C.G.). ... Petitioner(s) versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through - The Department Of Revenue, Mahanadi Bhawan - New Raipur, District - Raipur (C.G.). 2 - The Secretary Department Of Forest, Mahanadi Bhawan New Raipur, District Raipur (C.G.). 3 - The Colletor Balrampur/ Chairman Of The District Level Van Adhikar Committee - Balrampur, District Balrampur - Ramanujganj (C.G.). 4 - Assistant Commissioner/ Secretary District Level Van Adhikar Samiti - Balrampur District Balrampur - Ramanujganj (C.G.). 5 - The Sub-Divisional Office (Revenue)/ Chairman Of Divisional Level Van Adhikar Samiti Ramanujganj District Balrampur - Ramanujganj (C.G.). RAGHVENDRA JAT Digitally signed by RAGHVENDRA JAT 2 6 - The Divisional Forest Officer Forest Division - Balrampur, District Balrampur - Ramanujganj (C.G.). 7 - Forest Range Officer Forest Range - Navadih (Dhamni), District - Balrampur - Ramanujganj (C.G.). 8 - Assistant Range Officer Forest Range - Navadih (Dhamni) District - Balrampur - Ramanujganj (C.G.). 9 - Secretary Of Panchayat Level Van Adhikar Committee Village - Panchayat Ganjar, Tahsil - Ramchandrapur, District - Balrampur - Ramanujganj (C.G.). ... Respondent(s) For Petitioner(s) : Ms. Kajal Chandra, Advocate. For Respondent(s)/State : Mr. Shobhit Mishra, Dy. G.A. Hon’ble Mr. Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad Order on Board 14/05/2026 1. By way of this petition, the petitioner has prayed for following reliefs:- “10.1 That, this Hon'ble court may kindly be pleased to direct the respondent authorities to consider and decide the application for grant of Van Adhikar Patta of the subject land bearing compartment P-953, rakba 0.054 Hectare situated at village Ganjar, Tahsil-Ramchandrapur Distt- Balrampur Ramnujgnaj (C.G) within stipulated period. 10.2 That, this Hon'ble court may kindly be pleased to quash the notice dated 17.04.2026 and restrain the 3 respondent authorities to not dispossessed the petitioner from the subject land and house till the final decision of the application for grant of Van Adhikar Patta of the subject land of petitioner. 10.3 Any other relief or reliefs may also be granted to the petitioner which this Hon'ble court deems fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case. An affidavit in support of this petition is filed herewith.” 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that, the petitioner made an application/representation dated 12.8.2025 before the Collector, Balrampur-Ramanujganj for grant of Van Adhikar Patta on 12.8.2025, but till date no decision has been taken. She further submitted that the respondent authorities are compelling the petitioner to vacate the land in which, he is in possession since last 35 years. She would further submit that, a direction may be issued to the Collector, Balrampur-Ramanujganj to decide the application/ representation within a stipulated time and for the said period, possession of the petitioner may be protected. 3. On the other hand, learned counsel appearing for the State would submit that, competent authority to take decision for grant of Van Adhikar Patta is Sub Divisional Committee of Gram Sabha, but the application has been filed before the Collector, Balrampur- Ramanujganj. He would further submit that, if the petitioner files an application before the competent authority, the same shall be decided in accordance with law. 4 4. Having considered the contentions putforth by learned counsel for both the parties and the grievance of the petitioner, this writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the Collector, Balrampur- Ramanujganj to forward the application/representation dated 12.8.2025 filed by the petitioner to the competent authority/Committee of Gram Sabha within a period of 30 days, thereafter the concerned Authority/ Committee shall decide the same expeditiously preferably within a further period of 30 days. 5. Till then, no coercive steps be taken against the petitioner in respect of subject land. 6. With aforesaid directions, this writ petition is disposed off. Sd/- (Amitendra Kishore Prasad) Judge Raghu Jat