Braham Dev Mahato v. The State of Bihar

Patna HC14 May 2026CWJC/3792/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Illegal soil mining; mandamus; compensation for mining without owner's permission; private dispute between petitioner and agnate Veena Devi; agreement with private respondents Nos. 9-11; alternative remedy before competent Civil Court; writ disposed of with liberty; non-compliance with District Public Grievance Redressal Officer order dated 19.10.2023; Samastipur, Bihar; Mines Department; CWJC No.3792 of 2026.

What did the court decide?

Liberty granted to the petitioner to approach the competent Civil Court for redressal of his grievance; no mandamus issued and no compensation awarded. ¶¶33

Braham Dev Mahato Vs The State of Bihar — Patna HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.3792 of 2026

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======================================================

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Braham Dev Mahato son of Siya Ram Mahato, resident of ward no. 09, village- Singhia Bugurz, Police Station- Bhibhutipur, District- Samastipur.

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... ... Petitioner/s

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Versus

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The State of Bihar through its Secretary cum Mines Commissioner, Government of Bihar, Patna.

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The Divisional Commissioner cum First Appellate Authority, Darbhanga.

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The District Magistrate, Samastipur.

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The District Public Grievance Redressal Officer, Samastipur.

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The District Mining Office, Samastipur.

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The Circle Officer, Bhibhutipur Circle, Samastipur.

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The Mines Inspector, Samastipur.

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The Station Head Officer, Bhibhutipur Police Station, Samastipur.

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Ramlal Mahto son of Budhan Mahto resident of village - Singhia Buruz, Police Station- Bibhutipur, District- Samastipur.

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Lalit Mahto son of Ramlal Mahto resident of village Singhia Buruz, Police Station- Bibhutipur, District- Samastipur.

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Rambabu Mahto son of Late Mahendra Mahto resident of village -Singhia Buruz, Police Station- Bibhutipur, District- Samastipur.

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... ... Respondent/s

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====================================================== Appearance : For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Shakti Suman Kumar, Advocate For the S t a t e : Ms Archana Meenakshee, GP VI Mr Rana Veer Prawar, AC to GP VI For Mines Department : Ms Shruti Singh, Advocate ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJIV ROY ORAL ORDER

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2 14-05-2026 Heard Mr Shakti Suman Kumar, learned counsel for

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the petitioner and Ms Shruti Singh, learned counsel for the Department of Mines besides the State.

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2 This writ petition has been filed for the following

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reliefs:

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“i For issuance of an appropriate

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Patna High Court CWJC No.3792 of 2026(2) dt.14-05-2026 2/3

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writ in the nature of Mandamus directing the respondent authorities to stop the illegal mining of soil from the land of the petitioner situated at Mauza Singhia Burz, Khata No 152, Khesra No 11149 an area about 3 katha 1 dhur.

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ii For issuance of an appropriate writ in the nature of Mandamus directing the respondent authorities to compensate the petitioner for illegal mining of soil from his land situated at Mauza Singhia Burz, Khata No 152, Khesra No 11149 an area about 3 khatha 1 dhur, which was done without his permission.

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iii For issuance of an appropriate writ in the nature of Mandamus directing the respondents especially respondent No 5 and respondent No 8 to comply order dated 19.10.2023 passed by respondent No 4 (District Public Grievance Redressal officer, Samastipur) whereby direction was given to identify the person involved in illegal mining and take appropriate action against them according to the regulation.

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iv Any other writ/writs, order/orders or direction/directions as the facts and circumstances of the case may require and deemed fit by this Hon’ble Court may also be issued.”

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3 The content in the wit petition and the counter affidavit filed by the Department of Mines show that there is private dispute between the petitioner and his agnate Veena Devi who entered into agreement with respondents No 9 to 11.

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4 After some argument, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that he shall be approaching the competent

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Patna High Court CWJC No.3792 of 2026(2) dt.14-05-2026 3/3

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Civil Court for redressal of the grievance as contrary to the stand of the State respondents, the fact remains that his land has been used for mining purposes illegally.

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5 Granting such liberty, the writ petition is disposed

of.

(Rajiv Roy, J)

M.E.H./-

Braham Dev Mahato v. The State of Bihar

Case brief

What is this about?

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Braham Dev Mahato v. The State of Bihar

Case brief

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