2026:JHHC:24635 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI WP(C) No.6242 of 2026 ----- Shyam Prakash Sahani, about 83 years, S/o Late Krishnalal Sahani, R/o At-Belawatika Ward No.16, Medininagar, PO- Daltonganj, PS- Daltonganj, District-Palamau, Jharkhand … Petitioner(s). Versus 1. The State of Jharkhand, through Secretary Department of revenue and land reform, Ranchi office at project building Dhurwa, PO & PS Dhurwa Ranchi, 2. The Deputy Commissioner, Palamau, office at DC, Office, Daltonganj, PO & PS - Daltonganj Sadar, District-Palamau, Jharkhand, 3. The District Land Acquisition Officer Palamau, Office at Land Acquisition Office, Daltonganj, PO & PS-Daltonganj, District- Palamau at Daltonganj 4. The Circle Officer, Medninagar Sadar, Office At-Medninagar Block, PO & PS- Sadar Daltonganj, Dristrict-Palamau, Jharkhand 5. The Project Director of National Highway Authority of India, Palamau, Office At-Sarvodaya Nagar, Medninagar, PO & PS- Daltonganj, District- Palamau, Jharkhand … Respondent(s). CORAM : SRI ANANDA SEN, J. ------ For the Petitioner(s) : Mr. R. J. Chatterjee, Advocate Mr. S. K. Singh, Advocate For the State : Mr. Mukesh Kr. Mehta, Advocate For the NHAI : Mr. Rajesh Kr. Shandhilya, Advocate Mr. Amrit Raj Kisku, Advocate …...... 02 /17.08.2026: Heard the learned counsel representing the petitioner and the learned counsel representing the respondents. 2. By filing this writ petition, the petitioner has prayed for the following reliefs: “a) For issuance of an appropriate writ/order/direction in the nature of 'MANDAMUS' commanding upon the Respondents to direct the respondents to pay compensation of 35 cutting down teak trees in land acquired land of village Chinki in Khata no.79, 50 and 71, survey plot no.1959/P,1962 and 1953 area 0.8134 Acre, 0.0573 Acre and 0.3500 by the respondent for purpose of contractions of widening of four lane road of National Highway Road NH-75 in Hisra @ Pokhraha village in 2026:JHHC:24635 2 Palamau District, wherein without given to compensation have been forcefully taken away 35 cutting down teak trees from the acquired land and till date no compensation has not been given to the petitioner; and/or b) Any other appropriate writ(s) be issued, order(s) be passed and direction(s) be made as your lordships may appear fit and proper.” 3. It is the grievance of the petitioner that 35 teak trees which were on the land belonging to the petitioner in village Chinki in Khata No. 79, 50 and 71, Survey Plot No. 1959/P, 1962 and 1953 area 0.8134 acre, 0.573 acre and 0.35 acres have been felled for construction and widening of NH-75. 4. Learned counsel for the petitioner refers to Annexure-4 which is the reply given by the petitioner on the inquiry made under the RTI. 5. From going through the Annexure-4, I find that the respondents themselves admitted that they are in the process of taking appropriate steps. 6. Considering the facts that the respondents as in seisin of the matter and are taking appropriate steps in respect of compensation of 35 teak trees to the petitioner, I direct the National Highway Authority of India to take appropriate decision in respect of the compensation to the petitioner, within a period of 12 weeks from the date of receipt of the copy of this order. 7. If it is found that the petitioner is entitled for the same, the amount of compensation should be disbursed within four weeks. If for any reasons the respondents deny payment of compensation, the reasons thereof should be communicated to the petitioner so that he can take appropriate steps. 8. With the aforesaid observation and direction, this writ petition is disposed of. (ANANDA SEN, J.) 17.08.2026 Tanuj/CP-2 Uploaded on 19.08.2026