05.10.2026 Court No. 12 Item No.34 Cp MAT 1672 of 2026 With CAN 1 of 2026 Somnath Pulai VS The State of West Bengal & Ors. Mr. Sumon Banerjee Mr. P. Mukherjee Mr. Kanchan Ray Ms. Sadia Zarreen Mr. Swadhin Chowdhury ….for the Appellant. Mr. Niladri Saha ……for the State. 1. Affidavit of service is taken on record. 2. Despite service, none appears on behalf of the State respondents. 3. Mr. Niladri Saha, learned advocate, who usually appears for the State respondents, is present in court and he is requested by the court to appear in the matter. His appointment be regularized. 4. The appeal arises out of an order dated September 16, 2026, by which the learned Single Judge directed that the appellant should approach the appropriate forum, as the grievance was with regard to lack of police assistance. 2 5. We find from the records that the appellant was engaged as a pump operator for the Pump House No. 2 under Deuli W/S Scheme in the District of Purba Midnapur, by Massk Engineering Works, which was a government contractor. The appellant was paid on daily basis. The writ petition was filed alleging inaction on the part of the Block Development Officer, Ramnagar Development Block II, Purba Medinipur, in taking steps along with the officials of the Public Health Engineering Directorate, in opening the pump room and allowing him to continue his work. According to the appellant, such pump room remained closed for a long time and he was not being able to earn his livelihood. 6. Reliance has been placed on a communication of the Assistant Engineer, Haldia Electrical Sub- Division, P.H. Engineering Directorate to the Block Development Officer, requesting immediate intervention and initiation of legal action against some miscreants who had allegedly locked the pump room. The Block Development Officer was also requested to ensure assistance so that the possession of the pump room could be taken over by the Public Health Engineering Directorate. Such request was made to ensure that the supply of 3 drinking water to the persons in the locality continues uninterruptedly. 7. Strangely, the Block Development Officer addressed a letter to the learned Single Judge informing Her Ladyship that steps were being taken on the basis of the letter of the Assistant Engineer, Public Health Engineering Directorate. We are surprised to note that the Public Health Engineering Directorate is unable to regain possession of the pump room in exercise of their official duty. Similarly, the Block Development Officer also seems to be totally inactive. As the pump room has been sealed or locked by miscreants and not by anyone in official capacity, nothing prevents the administration and the concerned department to regain possession and ensure smooth water supply to the people in the locality. 8. Under such circumstances, the order impugned is set aside. 9. The District Magistrate, Purba Medinipur and the Sub-Divisional Officer, Contai are directed to ensure that the Public Health Engineering Directorate can regain possession of the pump room and can restore water supply to the locality within four weeks from date. 10. This order is not a declaration on the status of the appellant vis-à-vis the pump room, but a direction 4 upon the district administration to act in accordance with their duty. 11. Accordingly, the appeal and the connected application are disposed of. 12. However, there shall be no order as to costs. 13. Parties are directed to act on the basis of the server copy of this order. (Shampa Sarkar, J.) (Arjun Ray Mukherjee, J.)