RANCHI, India, June 13 -- Jharkhand High Court issued the following order on May 12:

1. Heard learned counsel for the parties.

2. The petitioner had earlier filed W.P. (PIL) No. 5923 of 2023 complaining that no action was being taken against the encroachers on public land. This petition was disposed of by order dated 20.08.2025, which reads as follows:-

1) The instant writ petition in the nature of Public Interest Litigation was entertained as a complaint of encroachment being made on public land.

2) The State has now filed its counter affidavit which goes to indicate that the action against such illegal encroachment has already been initiated on the basis of the measurement report submitted by the Amin dated 28th of May 2025 identifying 26 individuals who had encroached upon the public land.

3. Now that the proceedings stand initiated against the encroachers under the Jharkhand Public Land Encroachment Act, 2000, this petition has achieved its purpose and is disposed of accordingly.

3) Now the petitioner, by making a vague statement that there are further encroachments, has filed another Public Interest Litigation.

4. We are not too sure about the credentials of the petitioner. In any event, since the earlier writ petition was disposed of by order dated 20.08.2025, the petitioner is granted liberty to approach the Circle Officer, Tisri, in the proceedings already initiated against the encroachers and point out if indeed, there are any further encroachments on public land. If the petitioner does furnish details of further encroachments, then, we have no reason to believe that the Circle Officer of Tisri will not initiate any action against such alleged further encroachers on public land. However, we direct that the proceedings already initiated and any further proceedings, if any initiated, will be disposed of in accordance with law within a reasonable period of about six months from today. Needless to add that the Circle Officer will comply with principles of natural justice and fair play if it is proposed to pass any adverse orders against any parties.

5. This petition is disposed of in the above terms, without any order for costs.

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