2026:JHHC:2228 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI W.P.(C) No. 1870 of 2022 ------- 1. Lalan Kumar Goswami, Aged about 40 years, Son of Late Badrinath Goswami, 2. Rajeev Goswami, Aged about 39 years, Son of Late Badrinath Goswami, 3. Bholanath Goswami, Aged about 37 years, Son of Late Badrinath Goswami, 4. Jatesh Goswami, Aged about 60 years, Son of Late Loknath Goswami, All Resident of Village-Lohandiya Bazar, P.O.- Lohandiya Bazar, P.S. -Lalmatia, District- Godda, Jharkhand, At Present Resident of Lalmatia, P.O. & P.S.- Lalmatia, District-Godda, Jharkhand …… Petitioners Versus 1. The Eastern Coal Fields Limited, Saktoriya, P.O. & P.S.- Disargarh, District- Burdhaman, West Bengal. 2. The General Manager (I, E.), Eastern Coal Fields Limited, Saktoriya, P.O. & P.S.- Disargarh, District- Burdhaman, West Bengal. 3. The General Manager (In-charge), Eastern Coal Fields Limited, Dhankunda, P.O. & P.S.- Bara Simra, District- Godda, Jharkhand. 4. The Area Manager (Yo. Ni. Bi, and Parya), E.C.L., Rajmahal Area, P.O. & P.S.- Lalmatia, District-Godda, Jharkhand. 5. The Deputy Commissioner, Godda, P.O. & P.S.-Godda, District-Godda, Jharkhand. 6. The District Land Acquisition, Godda, P.O. & P.S.- Godda, District-Godda, Jharkhand. 7. The Sub-Divisional Officer, Mahagama, P.O. & P.S.- Mahagama, District-Godda, Jharkhand... 8. The Circle Officer, Boaarijor, P.O. & P.S.- Boaarijor, District-Godda, Jharkhand. 9. The State of Jharkhand. …..Respondents 2026:JHHC:2228 2 ------- CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE DEEPAK ROSHAN ------- For the Petitioner : Mr. Kanti Kr. Ojha, Adv. : Mr. Sahja Nand Sarawati, Adv. For the Respondents : Mr. Rajesh Lala, adv. For the State : Mr. Kunal Chandra Suman, AC to G.P-II ------- 7/Dated:28.01.2026 At the outset, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the instant application may be disposed of by giving direction to the respondent- authorities to dispose of the representation which is pending before them with regard to return of unutilized acquired land. 2. Mr. Rajesh Lala, learned counsel for the respondent-coal company submits that the instant application is not maintainable in view of the fact that the land has not been acquired under RFCTLARR Act, 2013; rather it has been acquired under Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957. 3. Having regard to the aforesaid fact and circumstance of the case coupled with the limited prayer of the petitioner that since a representation is pending before the competent authority; as such the instant writ application is hereby disposed of by directing the concerned respondent to treat this writ application as representation and take a decision in the matter with regard to the claim made by the petitioner in accordance 2026:JHHC:2228 3 with law and applicable Rules and Regulations by passing a reasoned and speaking order within a period of 12 weeks from the date of receipt/production of a copy of this order. 4. The petitioner is also directed to serve a copy of this writ application to the concerned Respondent at the earliest. 5. With the aforesaid observation and direction, the instant writ application stands disposed of. Pending I.A.s if any, also closed. (Deepak Roshan, J.) January 28, 2026 Uploaded on 09/02/2026 Fahim/-