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Jharkhand High Court
Kabita Banerjee vs The State Of Jharkhand on 16 February, 2026
Author: Rajesh Kumar
Bench: Rajesh Kumar
2026:JHHC:4209
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI
(Civil Writ Jurisdiction)
W.P. (C) No.999 of 2026
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1. Kabita Banerjee, aged about 46 years, W/o Late Rajen Banerjee,
2. Meena Banerjee, aged about 43 years, W/o Late Dhiren Banerjee, Both
R/o Village Parvatpur, P.O. Baat Binore, P.S. Siyaljori, District Bokaro,
Jharkhand. .... .... Petitioner(s)
Versus
1. The State of Jharkhand
2. The Commissioner, North Chhotanagpur Division, Hazaribagh, having
its office at Hazaribagh P.O. GPO, P.S. Sadar, District Hazaribagh,
Jharkhand.
3. Deputy Commissioner, Bokaro, Jharkhand, having its office at Bokaro,
Jharkhand, P.O. GPO, P.S. Sadar, District Bokaro, Jharkhand.
4. Additional Collector, Bokaro, Jharkhand, having its office at Bokaro,
Jharkhand, P.O. GPO, P.S. Sadar, District Bokaro, Jharkhand.
5. The Circle Officer, Chas, having its office at Chas, Bokaro, Jharkhand,
P.O. GPO, P.S. Sadar, District Bokaro, Jharkhand.
.... .... Respondent(s)
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CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH KUMAR
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For the Petitioner(s) : Mr. Amar Kr. Sinha, Adv.
For the Respondent(s) : Mr. Manoj Kumar, G.A.-III
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th
02/Dated: 16 February, 2026
1. The present writ petition has been filed for following reliefs:-
"A. for issuance of rent receipts in connection with land situated
at Thana No.52, Khata No.13, Plot No.822-838, 856-861, 863-
872, 874-879, 882 and 848 (total number Plots 43), of
measuring a total area of 50.65 acres, situated at Village
Bhawanipur, Sub-Division and Circle Chas, District-Bokaro.
B. For a direction upon the respondents particularly Respondent
no.5 i.e. Circle Officer, Chas, Bokaro, to mention the area of the
petitioner's land with respect to respective Plot Number in
Online Panji-II."
2. The description of land of the petitioners is as follows:-
"situated at Thana No.52, Khata No.13, Plot No.822-838, 856-
861, 863-872, 874-879, 882 and 848 (total number Plots 43), of
measuring a total area of 50.65 acres, situated at Village
Bhawanipur, Sub-Division and Circle Chas, District-Bokaro."
2026:JHHC:4209
3. Heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the materials
available on record.
4. It is an admitted position that the rent receipts were being issued till
the year 2023 and the petitioners continue to be recorded as raiyat in revenue
records. The stoppage of issuance of rent receipts and deletion of area details
from the Online Panji-II have been affected without serving any notice upon
the petitioner and without passing any reasoned order.
5. Issuance of rent receipt is a ministerial act evidencing payment of rent
and maintenance of revenue records. Such right cannot be curtailed
arbitrarily. Any alteration in revenue entries or stoppage of rent receipts
must be preceded by due process and adherence to principles of natural
justice.
6. In absence of any adjudication by a competent authority under the
Bihar Tenants Holding (Maintenance of Records) Act, 1973, the action of
Respondent No. 5 is wholly without jurisdiction and violation of Article 14
of the Constitution of India.
7. The online entry is to be correct reflection of the official record.
Although the online entry has no legal basis, still it has great impact in
practical life and further it is a government record.
8. It is not in dispute that online entry should be correct and true
reflection of the official record.
9. This Court is, therefore, satisfied that the impugned action of the
respondents regarding stopping issuance of rent receipts and deleting land
description from Online Panji-II is illegal, arbitrary and unsustainable in law.
10. In view of the above discussion, the present writ petition is, hereby,
allowed directing the respondents to make online entry of the land in
question on the official website of Jharkhand State maintained for the
records of land and issue online continuous Khatiyan (Adhikar Abhilekh) for
the land in question and also issue rent receipt to the petitioners, within six
weeks from the date of receipt/production of copy of this order.
11. It is made clear that if the aforesaid exercise is not completed within
six weeks, the petitioners are entitled for Rs.10,000/- (Ten thousand) as a
2026:JHHC:4209
litigation cost, to be paid by the Deputy Commissioner, Bokaro, who will
recover the said amount from the erring officials.
12. The respondent No.2 i.e. the Commissioner, North Chhotanagpur
Division, Hazaribagh, is held responsible for compliance of the aforesaid
order.
13. With above observation and direction, the present writ petition stands
disposed of.
14. Pending interlocutory application, if any, also stands disposed of.
(Rajesh Kumar, J.)
Dated: 16th February, 2026
Amar/-
Uploaded on 18.02.2026
