The High Court, Ranchi, entertained a writ petition concerning special security and videography arrangements for sensitive polling booths in the upcoming Nagarpalika Election, 2026, and disposed of the matter.
This page shows the compact analysis of this judgement. The full analysis — procedural history, issue-by-issue holdings with ratio and obiter, advocates, and paragraph-level evidence for every claim — is being added to the record in batches and will appear here when this judgement has been through it.
2026:JHHC:5163
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI
W.P.(C) No.1189 of 2026
Smt. Aruna Shankar, aged about 58 years, W/o Sri Anand Shankar, permanent resident of Nawatoli, Ward No.15, Medininagar, P.O. Medininagar, Daltonganj, P.S Medininagar, District Palamau, Jharkhand, Pin 822101
…. …. Petitioner
-Versus-
CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH KUMAR
---For the Petitioner : Mr. Niladari S. Mukherjee, Advocate For the Respondents : Ms. Rishi Bharti, AC to AAG-III : Mrs. Shilip Sandil Gadodia, Adv. : Mr. Parth S.A Swaroop Pati, Adv.
02/Dated: 20th February, 2026
1. Heard the parties.
2. The present writ petition has been filed for the following reliefs:-
2026:JHHC:5163
“(i) Writ in the nature of Mandamus directing the respondent authorities to make necessary arrangement for Videography recording in all 132 Polling Booth premises (inside-outside) of Medininagar Nagar Nigam, Medininagar, Palamu, during ensuing Nagarpalika (General) Election, 2026 scheduled on 23rd February 2026 since in the Press Note No.187 dated 27.01.2026 (Annexure-3) issued under the signature of respondent no.2, the Secretary, State Election Commission, Jharkhand, para 21 it has not been clarified that the videography would also be done inside & outside of the Polling Booths, as all the Booths are sensitive and about 40% of the Booths are hyper sensitive and there is every possibility of booth capturing, malpractice, firing, threatening the voters to cast vote forcefully to the nominated persons of some antisocial activists and notorious criminals, who having several criminal antecedents and have come out from jail just a few days ago on bail and now moving being equipped with fire arms, in convoy with 10 to 15 vehicles accompanied by their musclemen, creating a fearable situation in the area. This direction is very much necessary for conducting free & fair-election.
(ii) Writ in the nature of Mandamus commanding upon the concerned respondent mainly Respondent No2., for making suitable arrangements for deploying adequate armed force in all 132 booths and if so required requisition may be made for deploying Central Forces on the date of polling for fearless and peaceful voting/polling since the all the booths are sensitive and 40% booths are hyper sensitive.”
3. A complaint has been made that there is some sensitive issue and special
precaution is required i.e., may be by the videography and proper security.
4. This is the basic function of the Election Commission as well as the State Authority. They are expected to take all possible measures for conducting free and fair elections and recordings at the polling booth.
5. With the above hope and trust, the present writ petition is hereby, disposed of.
(Rajesh Kumar, J.)
20th February, 2026
(Raja/- Uploaded) 21.02.2026
2 issues framed by the court
Whether the Election Commission must arrange videography recording inside and outside sensitive polling booths for the upcoming election?
Whether adequate armed force and Central Forces must be deployed for fearlessness in polling?
Smt. Aruna Shankar
State of Jharkhand through the Principal Secretary, Urban Development and Housing Department
The Secretary, State Election Commission, Govt. of Jharkhand
RAJESH KUMAR
As recorded by the court registry
Judgements on the same questions, provisions and authorities, from every court
