1 2026:CGHC:9809-DB NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPPIL No. 51 of 2024 1 - Poulus Lakra S/o Gavel Lakra, Aged About 62 Years, Occupation - Agriculturist, R/o Village Singibahar, Tahsil Pharsabahar, District- Jashpur, C.G. ... Petitioner versus 1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through The Secretary, Department of Revenue, Mantralaya, Mahanadi Bharan, New Raipur, Atal Nagar, District Raipur, C.G. 2 - The Commissioner Surguja Division, Ambikapur, C.G. 3 - The Collector Jashpur, District Jashpur, C.G. 4 - The Managing Director, Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited, Raipur, C.G. 5 - The Chief Engineer (Bilaspur Range) Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited, Bilaspur, C.G. 6 - The Sub Divisional Officer (Revenue) Pharsabahar, District Jashpur, C.G. 7 - The Superintendent Engineer (Operative / Maintenance) Range Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited, Raigarh, C.G. Digitally signed by MOHAMMED AADIL KHAN Date: 2026.02.27 10:52:18 +0530 2 8 - The Executive Engineer Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited, Jashpur / Pathalgaon, C.G. 9 - The Tahsildar Pharsabahar, District Jashpur, C.G. 10 - The Sarpanch Gram Panchayat Singibahar, Tahsil Pharsabahar, District Jashpur, C.G. ... Respondents (Cause title taken from Case Information System) For Petitioner : Mr. S.B. Pandey, Advocate. For State : Mr. Shashank Thakur, Addl. Advocate General For respondents No. 4, 5, 7 and 8 Mr. Mayank Chandrakar, Advocate. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Hon'ble Shri Ravindra Kumar Agrawal, Judge Order on Board Per Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice 25-02-2026 1. The present petition has been filed seeking the following relief(s):- “10.1 That, the Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to call for entire records pertaining to the case of petitioner for the kind perusal of this Hon'ble Court. 0.2 That, the Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to direct the respondent to construct the 33/11 KV Electricity Sub Station excluding the single play ground situated in village Jatatoli. 10.3 That, the Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to direct the respondent authority to make sure to provide the play ground to the needy people of villages and to direct 3 the respondent authority to construct the 33/11 KV Electricity Sub Station exclude the play ground. 10.4 Any other relief, which may be deemed, fit by this Hon'ble Court just and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case may also be provided in favour of the Petitioner.” 2. The facts as mentioned in the petition are that, the petitioner is an agriculturist, a senior citizen, and belongs to the Scheduled Tribe category, resident of Village Singibahar, District Jashpur. The Respondent No.3, Collector Jashpur, vide Order No. 3159/Reader/2023 dated 05/07/2023, allotted land bearing Khasra No. 699/2 admeasuring 0.414 hectare (out of 1.023 hectare) in favour of Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited for establishment of a 33/11 KV Electricity Sub Station (Annexure P-1). The said allotted land comprises the only existing playground situated at Jatatoli, which has been used since ancient times by villagers of Gram Panchayat Uper Kacchar, Latbora, Sajbahar, Kersai, Singibahar, Jatatoli and Pahlawntoli for sports, health activities, gym, cultural programs and physical training. Several youths from these villages have joined the Police, Army and Para-Military Forces with the benefit of this playground. The petitioner and other villagers submitted several representations requesting the authorities to exclude the playground land and to construct the sub- station at an alternative site, but the authorities have not considered their representations. Hence, the present petition has been filed seeking direction to the respondent authorities to construct the 33/11 KV 4 Electricity Sub Station on alternative land, excluding the existing playground at Village Jatatoli, in the larger public interest. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that despite order for establishing 33/11KV Electricity Sub Station at Pahalwantolipara of village Singibahar, but the same is being established by respondent No.3 upon the play ground in village Jatatoli. Learned counsel for the petitioner further submits that they have no objection with regard to establishment of Sub Station, but the playground area should not be disturbed. 4. Learned counsel appearing for the State would submit that the electrical sub station will benefit not only the villagers of Singibahar but also the nearby areas. It has been further submitted that out of total 1.023 hectare of land only on 0.414 hectare the Sub Station would be set up and more than two third work has already been completed. 5. Considering the submissions made by learned counsel for the parties and the facts that the Sub Station is being established for public utility and larger public interest to ensure better electricity supply to the villagers of Singibahar and adjoining areas, only 0.414 hectare out of the total 1.023 hectare of land is being utilized and substantial construction work has already been completed, we are not inclined to interfere in the matter. Accordingly, the present petition is dismissed. Sd/- Sd/- (Ravindra Kumar Agrawal) (Ramesh Sinha) Judge Chief Justice Aadil