2026:JHHC:10505-DB 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI W.P. (C) No.2223 of 2023 ----- M/s Anil Kumar Rai, a partnership firm concern, through its partner Anil Kumar Rai, son of Ram Bachan Rai, resident of Rai Niwas, Sri Ram Kunj, Nawadih, P.O.-B Polytechnic, P.S. Dhanbad, District-Dhanbad .......... Petitioner. -Versus- 1. Bharat Coking Coal Limited, through its Chairman-cum-Managing Director, having office at Koyla Nagar, P.O. & P.S. Koyla Nagar, District-Dhanbad. 2. Director (Technical), Bharat Coking Coal Limited having office at Koyla Nagar, P.O. & P.S. Koyla Nagar, District-Dhanbad. 3. General Manager (Civil), Bharat Coking Coal Limited, having office at Koyla Nagar, P.O. & P.S. Koyla Nagar, District-Dhanbad. 4. General Manager, Bastacolla Area, Bharat Coking Coal Limited, having office at Bastacolla, P.O. & P.S. Bastacolla, District- Dhanbad. 5. Area Civil Manager, Bastacolla Area, Bharat Coking Coal Limited, having office at Bastacolla, P.O. & P.S. Bastacolla, District- Dhanbad. 6. Tender Committee, Lodna Area, Bharat Coking Coal Limited having office at Koyla Nagar, P.O. & P.S. Koyla Nagar, District- Dhanbad. 7. M/s East India Construction Co., through its partner, having registered office at Taneja House, Shivpuri Colony, Jodhadih More, Chas, P.O. & P.S. Chas, District-Bokaro. .......... Respondents. ----- CORAM : HON’BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH SHANKAR ----- For the Petitioner : Mr. Amritansh Vats, Advocate For the BCCL : Mr. Kumar Harsh, Advocate For the Res. No.7 : Mr. Ankit Vishal, Advocate ----- Order No.09 Date: 13.04.2026 1. Heard learned counsel for the parties. 2026:JHHC:10505-DB 2 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner fairly submits that most of the issues in this petition have now been rendered infructuous. However, he submits that the issue of the return of the earnest money deposit remains. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner would, within 15 days from today, represent to the concerned respondent for return of this earnest money deposit. He submits that some directions may be issued to the concerned respondent to dispose of this representation and in case the disposal is not to the satisfaction of the petitioner, then, liberty may be granted to the petitioner to adopt alternate remedy for redressal of his grievance. 4. The submission made by the learned counsel for the petitioner is fair and the learned counsel for the respondents fairly accepts that such an order could be made. He states that the petitioner’s representation will be disposed of by the 4th respondent within a period of one moth from the date of its receipt. He stated that a reasoned decision would be communicated to the petitioner within this period. 5. The above statements are accepted. The parties must act consistent with the statements now made on their behalf and accepted by the Court. 6. All contentions on merits concerning the return of the earnest money deposit are kept open. 2026:JHHC:10505-DB 3 7. In case, the petitioner is dissatisfied with the 4th respondent’s decision on this issue, the petitioner will have liberty to avail of the alternate remedies for redressal of his grievance. 8. Further, we direct that if the earnest money deposit is found to be refundable to the petitioner, then, the same should be refunded within three months by the concerned respondent deciding such issue and entitlement. 9. The petition is disposed of with liberty in the above terms. 10. No costs. (M. S. Sonak, C.J.) (Rajesh Shankar, J.) 13th April, 2026 Sanjay/Rohit Uploaded on 15.04.2026