Jharkhand High Court
Sanjeev Kumar Singh vs Sri Avinash Kumar on 1 April, 2026
Author: Sujit Narayan Prasad
Bench: Sujit Narayan Prasad, Sanjay Prasad
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI
Cont. Case (Civil) No.204 of 2026
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Sanjeev Kumar Singh ... ... ... Petitioner Versus Sri Avinash Kumar, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Jharkhand and Ors. ... ... ... Opp. Parties
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CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUJIT NARAYAN PRASAD HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY PRASAD
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For the Petitioner : Mr. Bharat Kumar, Advocate Mr. Sparsh Kumar Rai, Advocate Mr. Rahul Sinha, Advocate For the Opp. Parties : Mr. Jai Prakash, AAG-1A Ms. Omiya Anusha, AC to AAG-1A For the CCL : Mr. Amit Kumar Das, Advocate
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st Order No.03/Dated 01 April, 2026
1. Reference may be made to the order dated 18.03.2026.
2. The matter pertains to the non-compliance of the direction passed by this Court dated 11.08.2023 passed in W.P.(PIL) No.6341 of 2022.
3. The show cause has been filed by the Deputy Commissioner, Ramgarh stating inter alia there in :-
(i) The answering opposite party, in coordination with the State Government, Department of Tourism and other stakeholders, has undertaken several measures for development and beautification of the premises of Maa Chhinnamastika Temple and surrounding areas.
(ii) For providing power and lighting facilities, the answering opposite party has installed generators have been installed in the year 2025 out of DMFT funds at a cost of Rs. 10,00,000/-
(Rupees Ten Lakh only) and are fully operational and also 5 numbers of 21-meter-high mast lights have been installed through CSR funding. Further, street lights have been installed on the main road from Chitarpur to the temple premises.
1(iii) For sanitation and cleanliness an MoU was executed on 22.07.2025 with CCL and Sewa Foundation, Maharashtra for a period of two years at a cost of Rs.2,67,10,000/- (Rupees Two Crores Sixty Seven Lakhs Ten Thousand only) under CSR funding, and the same is currently operational by deputing about 70 sanitation staffs.
(iv) An 8-seater community Latrine and Bathroom has been constructed by the CCL and is being operated and maintained by Sulabh International under CSR funding. For additional sanitation facilities including a Latrine and Bathing Ghat have been constructed on the bank of Bhairavi River for public use. The site visit report has been submitted by Deputy Development Commissioner, Ramgarh.
(v) The respondent authority also developed infrastructure within the temple premises and accordingly a guest house has been constructed through CSR funding by Patratu Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited.
(vi) The answering opposite party for providing safe drinking water to visitors about 8 RO refrigerator units and 2 public water drinking stations have been installed and also a proposed for installation of 5 additional RO units is currently under process.
(vii) For maintaining cleanliness of the river and surrounding area awareness hoardings have been installed and regular awareness programs are being conducted for maintaining cleanliness of the river and surrounding areas through CSR funding.
(viii) The adequate safety and security measures have been undertaken including deployment of sanitation personnel, in security for blowing whistle in danger areas and deployment of personnel to warn devotees in danger zones. Also, process to install barricading has been started in river areas.
(ix) For removal of illegal encroachment around the temple areas directed the Sub Divisional Officer, Ramgarh vide letter no.349 2 dated 18.03.2026 for taking steps to remove the illegal encroachments and accordingly Sub Divisional Officer, Ramgarh has initiated proceeding against the encroachers for removal of illegal encroachment in the temple premises and adjoining areas under the provisions of Jharkhand Public Land Encroachment Act and the process is ongoing.
(x) For completion of above projects the total sanctioned amount for the above development work is Rs.7,58,62,800/-(Rupees Seven Crore Fifty Eight Lakh Sixty Two Thousand Eight Hundred only) out of which an amount of Rs.3,29,60,000/- (Rupees Three Crore Twenty Nine Lakh Sixty Thousand only) has already been spent till date.
(xi) For appointment of trained divers, some of the trained divers have been identified by District Administration and a proposal report has been forwarded to Government of Jharkhand vide letter no.1139/RA dated 03.07.2025 and letter no.2247/RA dated 22.12.2025 but due to administrative approvl for appointment of trained divers could not be finalized; however, alternative safety arrangements have been made to ensure safety of the pilgrims.
4. The Deputy Commissioner, Ramgarh has admitted the fact that the order is still to be complied with since he, before this Court, has stated that the encroachments are still there although the notices have been issued to the encroachers i.e., to the extent of 365 in numbers, and now the efforts are being taken for making the area encroachment free.
5. He has also stated that the issue of barricading the accidental point in Bhairvi River is also under process as the Engineer of Minor Irrigation Department has been requested to prepare the DPR.
6. He has also stated that he will impress upon the Chairman- cum-Managing Director, C.C.L. to release the fund from the head of C.S.R. for the development of the entire area.
37. Mr. Mukesh Kumar, Secretary, Tourism Department, Government of Jharkhand has stated that he will visit the area for the purpose of preparation of D.P.R. for overall development of the temple area including the hospital, parking space and other developmental works in the area in order to comply with the direction passed by this Court dated 11.08.2023. He has stated that it will take about three weeks' time.
8. Let further update be filed showing compliance of the direction already passed by this Court dated 11.08.2023 passed in W.P.(PIL) No.6341 of 2022.
9. One issue has also been raised that after the mining operation conducted by the Central Coalfield Limited, the further arrangements are not being made to fill up the area which has been dilapidated due to the extraction of minerals.
10. When this aspect has been confronted with the Deputy Commissioner, Ramgarh, then he has admitted that the area is now being turning to be a sump where the fishing is being done.
11. Let an affidavit in this regard be filed on behalf of C.C.L. on or before the next date of hearing.
12. Let this matter be listed on 24th April 2026 for further update.
13. Since the DPR is being prepared by the Minor Irrigation which comes under the Water Resource Department, therefore, this Court is of the view that the appearance of the Principal Secretary, Water Resource Department is also required in this case.
14. Let the Principal Secretary, Water Resource Department, Government of Jharkhand, the Secretary, Tourism Department, Government of Jharkhand and Deputy Commissioner, Ramgarh, appear physically on the next date of hearing.
15. Let the name of Mr. Amit Kumar Das, learned counsel. be reflected in the daily cause list as counsel for the C.C.L. 4
16. So far as, the Principal Secretary, Water Sanitation Department is concerned, he will be represented by learned Advocate General, being the functionary of the State.
17. The concerned Officers will appear on the next date fixed in this case.
(Sujit Narayan Prasad, J.) (Sanjay Prasad, J.) Date : 01st April, 2026 Kamlesh/ Nishant/-
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