Ved Prakash Vs the State of Jharkhand through the Deputy… — Land Acquisition | Jharkhand HC (2026)

Ved Prakash Vs the State of Jharkhand through the Deputy… — Land Acquisition | Jharkhand HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Direction to the Competent Authority under the National Highways Act, 1956 to refer the dispute between the petitioner and Respondent Nos. 6 to 8 for proper adjudication as per Section 3-H(4); the writ petition and any pending I.A. stand disposed of.

Issue for consideration

Whether Respondent Nos. 1 to 3 should be directed to refer the dispute between the petitioner and Respondent Nos. 6 to 8 over entitlement to the land to the authority under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. +2 more

Court's answer

The Competent Authority under the National Highways Act, 1956 is directed to refer the matter (the dispute between the petitioner and Respondent Nos. 6 to 8) for proper adjudication as per Section 3-H(4).

Ratio / Principle

Such disputed questions of fact raised in the writ petition require adjudication by a competent authority.

Key takeaways

A special forum has been created under the National Highways Act, 1956, under Section 3-H(4), for adjudication of such disputes.ratio¶29

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

W.P. (C) No.3925 of 2025, High Court of Jharkhand at Ranchi (Civil Writ Jurisdiction), decided 03.02.2026 by Rajesh Kumar, J. Petitioner Ved Prakash sought (i) referral by Respondent Nos. 1–3 of his dispute with awardee-respondents Tejnath, Rajendra and Surendra Mahto over his claimed entitlement to the compensated land to the authority under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, alleging manipulation in his settlement deed, and (ii) freezing of Respondent No. 6's account no. 39731685621 (IFSC SBIN0015347, State Bank of India, Ormanjhi Branch) till disposal of the petition. Counsel for respondents submitted the award was passed following due process of law with no interpolation. Holding that the disputed questions of fact require adjudication by a competent authority, the court pointed to the special forum under Section 3-H(4) of the National Highways Act, 1956 and directed the Competent Authority to refer the matter for proper adjudication accordingly; the writ petition and any pending I.A. stand disposed of.

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, DistrictRanchi.

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: 03^rd 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

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: 03^rd February, 2026 Amar/Uploaded on 04.02.2026

Page | 2

W.P. (C) No.3925 of 2025