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Jharkhand High Court
The State Of Jharkhand vs Nabin Narayan & Another on 24 February, 2026
Author: Rajesh Shankar
Bench: Rajesh Shankar
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI
L.P.A. No. 358 of 2025
The State of Jharkhand, through the Principal Secretary, Water
Resource Department, Ranchi & Others ..... Appellants
Versus
Nabin Narayan & Another ..... Respondents
With
L.P.A. No. 719 of 2025
The State of Jharkhand, through the Principal Secretary, Water
Resource Department, Ranchi & Others ..... Appellants
Versus
Ramchandra Rajak & Another ..... Respondents
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CORAM
HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH SHANKAR
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For the Appellants: Mr. Anish Kr. Mishra, A.C. to Sr. S.C.-I
For the Res.-A.G.: Ms. Shruti Shrestha, Advocate
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05/24.02.2026
1. These appeals are against learned Single Judge's order dated
20.08.2024. No interim relief has been granted by the Appellate
Court on the ground of pendency of these appeals.
2. The learned Single Judge's direction has not been complied with
despite expiry of more than one and half years. At the same
time, despite opportunities, the appellants are not taking
effective steps to serve the respondents-petitioners. Accordingly,
vide order dated 09.02.2026, we directed the respondents to
deposit the withheld amount of pension based upon the order
dated 08.08.2022 in this Court within two weeks. This period of
two weeks expired on 23.02.2026. Till date, the said amount has
not been deposited.
3. Learned counsel for the appellants only inform us that some
steps are being taken up for deposit the said amount. He
submits that a letter has been written to the Accountant General
in this regard.
4. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the Accountant General
flatly refuses that any such letter has been addressed or
received in the Office of the Accountant General. Accordingly, we
are satisfied that the State is bent upon disobeying the orders of
this Court. Despite several opportunities, the orders of this Court
are being disobeyed.
5. Therefore, we issue notice to the Principal Secretary, Water
Resource Department, Government of Jharkhand, Ranchi to
ensure that the withheld amount of pension is deposited by
tomorrow in this Court.
6. We post this matter on 26.02.2026 to enable the Principal
Secretary, Water Resource Department, Government of
Jharkhand, Ranchi to appear before this Court through V.C. and
show cause why action under the Contempt of Courts Act should
not be immediately taken against him because prima-facie this is
disobedience of the Court's orders.
7. Normally, we are reluctant to direct the Secretaries to appear
before this Court. However, it appears that full advantage is
being taken of our reluctance, which is being viewed by certain
government officials as some sort of weakness. Still, we direct
Mr. Prashant Kumar-Principal Secretary, Water Resource
Department, Government of Jharkhand, Ranchi to attend the
proceeding through V.C. personally. However, if the said amount
is deposited by tomorrow, the Principal Secretary need not
attend the proceeding through V.C. In case, the Principal
Secretary is busy and is unable to attend the proceeding, the
Chief Secretary of the State would attend the proceeding
through V.C.
8. All concerned to act on an authenticated copy of this order.
9. Learned A.C. to Sr. S.C.-I to immediately communicate this order
to the Principal Secretary, Water Resource Department,
Government of Jharkhand, Ranchi so that the needful be done at
the earliest.
(M. S. Sonak, C.J.)
(RAJESH SHANKAR, J.)
24.02.2026
Satish/Vikas/
