2026:JHHC:28745 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI W.P.(C) No. 7518 of 2026 1. Ramchander Turi 2. Nandkishore Kewat 3. Yogesh Khanna 4. Jonsh Raj Chaudhary 5. Jitendra Kumar Singh 6. Sani Dayal Soren 7. Surendra Kumar Singh 8. Adarsh Kumar Choudhary 9. Anil Kewat 10. Dashmi Devi 11. Anand Kumar Kewat 12. Soma Dutt 13. Hira Lal Kewat 14. Chandan Kewat 15. Binod Manjhi 16. Saroj Kumar 17. Manoj Lal Khanna ….. Petitioners Versus 1. The State of Jharkhand 2. The Deputy Commissioner, Ramgarh 3. The Sub-Divisional Officer, Ramgarh 4. The Circle Officer, Chitarpur, Ramgarh 5. The Circle Officer, Gola, Ramgarh ….. Respondents ----- CORAM HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH SHANKAR ----- For the Petitioners: Mr. Radha Krishan Gupta, Advocate For the Respondents: Mr. Tarun Kr. Mahto, A.C to A.G ----- 04/24.09.2026 The present writ petition has been filed for issuance of direction upon the concerned respondents to forthwith allot alternative shops/places to the petitioners to enable them to run their business near the premises of Maa Chhinnamastike Temple, Rajrappa at the location conducive and viable for business with appropriate civic amenities. 2. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the petitioners are the local residents of Rajrappa and they have been running small shops for last 60-70 years near the premises of Maa Chhinnamastike Temple, Rajrappa. It is further submitted that since over the years there has been remarkable increase in the number of devotees visiting Maa Chhinnamastike Temple, Rajrappa, the 2026:JHHC:28745 2 Ramgarh Administration acquired 8.86 Acres of land for the purpose of development of the temple area and during the said acquisition, the petitioners never raised any objection as the same was in the public interest. 3. A Public Interest Litigation being W.P.(PIL) No. 6341/2022 was filed for development of Maa Chhinnamastike Temple, Rajrappa area and removal of encroachment. Learned Division Bench of this Court vide order dated 11.08.2023, disposed of the said PIL with the following directions: “7. Considering the aforesaid position, we intend to give the following directions to the Department of Tourism, Government of Jharkhand and the District Administration, Ramgarh for immediate compliance: - (i) To construct adequate number of permanent proper bathing ghats on both the sides of river Bhairavi; (ii) Approach road from each of the ghats to the temple should be free from all encroachments and obstructions; (iii) To construct adequate number of changing rooms near the ghats at appropriate places. Ghats and changing rooms should be properly maintained giving special emphasis to cleanliness and hygiene; (iv) Both the banks of river Bhairavi should be provided with proper lighting facility; (v) Toilets and washrooms in the queue complex should be maintained by the respondents; (vi) Deputy Commissioner, Ramgarh will constitute a team of responsible officers, who will inspect the temple area to find out whether there are sufficient numbers of waiting halls and sufficient number of toilets for all genders. If it is felt that the toilets and washrooms are not adequate, appropriate area should be identified for construction of toilets and washrooms for all genders, but the said toilets should not disturb in any way the temple nor should come in the way of beautification of the temple; (vii) The respondents also should provide adequate drinking water facility at regular intervals for the pilgrims; 2026:JHHC:28745 3 (viii) First-aid medical facility should be made available round the clock near the temple area and during the festive season, mobile outlets should be made available, which should be placed at the river front on both the banks of river Bhairavi; (ix) To widen the river banks and remove the hindrances, encroachment and obstructions to reach the temple from the Ghats or any other appropriate approach roads and if makeshift shops needs to be removed, they should be removed and the persons displaced should be relocated at proper places; (x) To take such other or further steps as is conducive to beautify the temple complex and its surroundings including the river front / bank. 8. This Writ Petition in the nature of Public Interest Litigation is, thus, disposed of with the above directions. 9. There shall be no orders as to costs. Urgent certified copies of this order shall be issued as per the Rules.” 4. Learned counsel for the petitioners further submits that in purported compliance of the aforesaid order of learned Division Bench, the petitioners were evicted from their respective shops, which were situated near ‘Bhairavi’ river (Chilka Bridge), on 16.04.2026. After evicting, their shops were also demolished with a view to develop/beautify Maa Chhinnamastike Temple, Rajrappa. The grievance of the petitioners is that constructing new shops in the temple premises will consume considerable time and therefore the respondent authorities should provide alternative shops at the suitable places so that they may carry out their respective business for their livelihood. 5. Learned counsel for the petitioners also produces a copy of the order dated 15.04.2026 passed by a coordinate Bench of this Court in W.P.(C) No. 2600/2026 [Arup Kumar Panda & Ors. Vs. The State of Jharkhand & Ors.] with W.P.(C) No. 2601/2026 [Pradeep Saw & Ors. Vs. The State of Jharkhand & Ors.]. 2026:JHHC:28745 4 6. Learned counsel for the petitioners urges that since the petitioners are similarly situated to those of the aforesaid two writ petitions, similar order, as has been passed in their cases, may also be passed in this case. 7. Learned counsel for the respondents accepts the fact that the case of the petitioners is similarly situated to those of W.P.(C) No. 2600/2026 & W.P.(C) No. 2601/2026. 8. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and keeping in view that the case of the petitioners is similarly situated to those of W.P.(C) No. 2600/2026 & W.P.(C) No. 2601/2026, the present writ petition is disposed of in terms with paragraphs 7, 8 & 9 of the order dated 15.04.2026 passed in W.P.(C) No. 2600/2026 & W.P.(C) No. 2601/2026. Satish/- (RAJESH SHANKAR, J)