2026:JHHC:2946 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI W.P.(S) No. 1396 of 2023 ------ Ajay Manjhi, son of late Mahalal Manjhi, resident of village Murpa, Shibutola, P.O- Kuju, P.S. Mandu, District- Ramgarh, Jharkhand. .. Petitioner(s) Versus 1. M/s Central Coalfields Limited through the Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Darbhanga House, Kotwali, Ranchi. 2. The Director (Personnel), Central Coalfields Limited, Darbhanga House, Kotwali, Ranchi. 3. The General Manager, Kuju Area, Central Coalfields Ltd., P.O Kuju, P.S. Mandu, District- Ramgarh. 4. The Project Officer, Topa Project, Central Coalfields Ltd., P.O Topa, P.S. Mandu, District- Ramgarh. 5. The Manager (Personnel), Topa Colliery, Central Coalfields Limited, P.O Topa, P.S. Mandu, District- Ramgarh. ...Respondent(s) ------ CORAM : SRI ANANDA SEN, J. ------ For the petitioner(s): Mr. Yogendra Prasad, Advocate For the CCL Mr. Amaresh Kumar, Advocate. ------- 09/04.02.2026: Heard the parties. 2. In this writ petition, the main challenge of the petitioner is the rejection of his candidature and not keeping him in live roster as the petitioner was aged less than twelve years. 3. Admittedly, the National Coal Wage Agreement, which is an agreement under the I.D. Act entered into between the Coal Companies and the Labour Union, clearly provides that a male dependent, who is 12 years or above can be kept in live roster, who will be provided employment when he attains majority. 4. Admittedly, in this case, the petitioner was aged about ten years and he had not completed twelve years. Thus, he has got no right to be kept in live roster as per the agreement, which has a binding effect on the parties. 5. So far as prayer No. (i) is concerned, I am not inclined to entertain the said prayer. It is kept open to be decided in an appropriate case. 6. Accordingly, this petition stands disposed of. 7. Pending interlocutory application, if any, also stands disposed of. 4th February, 2026 (ANANDA SEN, J.) Anu-Cp2. Uploaded on: 05 February, 2026