2026:JHHC:2767 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI (Civil Writ Jurisdiction) W.P. (C) No.3925 of 2025 ---- Ved Prakash, aged about 26 years, son of Late Raj Kumar Mahto, Resident of Village – Kurum, P.O.+P.S.- Ormanjhi, District – Ranchi. …. …. Petitioner(s) Versus 1. The State of Jharkhand through the Deputy Commissioner, Ranchi, P.O.- G.P.O. Ranchi, P.S.-Kotwali, District – Ranchi. 2. District Land Acquisition Officer, Ranchi, P.O.-G.P.O. Ranchi, P.S. Kotwali, District-Ranchi. 3. Additional District Land Acquisition Officer, Ranchi-cum-Competent Authority NHAI, Ranchi, P.O.-G.P.O. Ranchi, P.S.-Kotwali, District- Ranchi. 4. Project Director, National Highway Authority of India, Regional Office, Ranchi C-129, Vidyalaya Marg, Ashok Nagar, Ranchi P.O.-Doranda, P.S.-Argora, District – Ranchi. 5. Branch Manager, State Bank Ormanjhi Branch, P.O. & P.S. of India, Ormanjhi, District-Ranchi. 6. Tejnath Mahto, Son of Kedla Mahto. 7. Rajendra Mahto, Son of Tejnath Mahto. 8. Surendra Mahto, Son of Tejnath Mahto. Respondent No.6 to 8 are Resident of Village – Kuchu, P.O.+P.S.- Ormanjhi, District – Ranchi. …. …. Respondent(s) ---- CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH KUMAR ---- For the Petitioner(s) : Mr. Yogender Prasad, Adv. For the Respondent(s) : Mr. Prashant Kr. Rai, A.C. to S.C.(L&C)-I Mr. P.A.S. Pati, Adv. Mr. Mithilesh Kr. Pandey, Adv. Ms. Priyasha Priyadarshani, Adv. ---- 03/Dated: 03rd February, 2026 1. The present writ petition has been filed for following reliefs:- “(i) For issuance of an appropriate writ(s), order(s), direction(s) or a writ in the nature of Mandamus for directing and commanding upon the Respondent no. 1 to 3 to refer the dispute between the petitioner and the Respondent no. 6 to 8 to the authority under the Right to 2026:JHHC:2767 Page | 2 W.P. (C) No.3925 of 2025 Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. (ii) For issuance of an appropriate writ(s), order(s), direction(s) upon the Respondent no. 5 to freeze the Bank account of Respondent no.6 having account no. 39731685621, IFSC SBIN0015347 of Code-State Bank of India, Ormanjhi Branch with immediate effect till the disposal of the instant writ petition.” 2. The private respondents are awardees. The petitioner claims that he also has a claim over the said piece of land and has alleged manipulation in his settlement deed. 3. However, learned counsel for the respondents have submitted that the award has been passed following due process of law and there is no interpolation. 4. In view of above submission, such disputed questions of fact require adjudication by a competent authority. For adjudication of such disputes, a special forum has been created under the National Highways Act, 1956, under Section 3-H(4). 5. Considering the nature of dispute raised in the present writ petition, the Competent Authority under the National Highways Act, 1956 is directed to refer the matter for proper adjudication as per Section 3-H(4). 6. In view of above direction, the present writ petition is hereby disposed of. 7. Pending I.A., if any, also stands disposed of. (Rajesh Kumar, J.) Dated: 03rd February, 2026 Amar/- Uploaded on 04.02.2026