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Jharkhand High Court
Smt. Aruna Shankar vs The State Of Jharkhand Through The ... on 20 February, 2026
Author: Rajesh Kumar
Bench: Rajesh Kumar
2026:JHHC:5163
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI
W.P.(C) No.1189 of 2026
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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-
1. The State of Jharkhand through the Principal Secretary, Urban Development
and Housing Department, Government of Jharkhand, Project Bhawan, P.O. & P.S.
Dhurwa, District Ranchi, Jharkhand, Pin-834004
2. The Secretary, State Election Commission, Govt. of Jharkhand, having Office at
Jharkhand Election Bhawan, New Market Chawk, Ratu Road, Ranchi, P.O. Ratu,
P.S. Ratu, District Ranchi, Jharkhand, Pin Code 834001
3. The Election Commissioner, having Office at Ratu Road, Ranchi, P.O Ratu,
P.S. Ratu, District Ranchi, Jharkhand, Pin Code-834001
4. The Commissioner, Palamu, P.O. & P.S. Medininagar, District Palamu,
Jharkhand, Pin Code 822101
5. The Municipal Commissioner, Medininagr Nagar Nigam, Medininagar, Palamu,
having Office at Kachari Premises, Daltonganj, P.O. & P.S. Medininagar, District-
Palamu, Jharkhand, Pin Code 822101
6. The District Election Officer (Municipality)-cum-Deputy Commissioner,
Palamu, New Collectorate Building, Block-A, Medininagar, Palamau, P.O.
Medininagar, P.S. Medininagar, District- Palamu, Jharkhand.Pin Code-822101
7. The District Deputy Election Officer (Nagar Palika)-cum-District Panchayat Raj
Officer, Palamu, New Collectorate Building, Block-C, Medininagar, P.O.
Medininagar, P.S. Medininagar, District- Palamu, Jharkhand, Pin-822101
8. The D.I.G. of Police, Medininagar, Palamu P.O. & P.S.-Medininagar, District-
Palamu, Jharkhand
9. The Superintendent of Police, Palamu at Daltonganj, New Collectorate
Building, Block-B, Ρ.Ο.-& P.S Medininagar, District Palamu, Jharkhand, Pin
Code-822101 .... .... Respondents
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CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH KUMAR
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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.
----
th
02/Dated: 20 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
