Authority: High Court of Jharkhand at Ranchi

Order Date: 14 Oct 2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioner: Anil Kumar Verma, son of Mohan Mahto, resident of Village‑Vangava, P.O.‑ Motileda, P.S.‑ Bengabad, District‑ Giridih.
  • Respondents: The State of Jharkhand (Chief Secretary), Secretary, Department of Home, Jail & Disaster Management, Secretary, Department of Mines & Geology, Deputy Commissioner Giridih, Superintendent of Police Giridih, Officer‑in‑Charge Bengabad P.S., District Mining Officer Giridih.
  • Nature of Petition: Writ petition (W.P. (C) No. 7848 of 2026) seeking a declaration that the petitioner’s commercial vehicle – an Eicher tractor bearing registration No. JH‑11AV‑8226 (engine No. S325R08952) – had been illegally detained and requesting its immediate release.
  • Background: The tractor was detained by Respondent No. 6 (Officer‑in‑Charge, Bengabad P.S.) on 13 Sep 2026. A raid on NH‑114A near Sonabad village on that date uncovered two tractors loaded with illegal sand: (i) a Sonalika tractor (engine No. 3100FLU24E1168905F18) and (ii) the Eicher tractor (engine No. S325R08952). The Sonalika tractor was released after the payment of a compounding fee; the Eicher tractor remained detained because the fee was not paid.
  • Procedural History: The petition was first heard on 08 Oct 2026, where Respondent counsel Mr. Rahul Saboo (GP‑II) sought adjournment to obtain instructions from the Superintendent of Police, Giridih. The matter was listed again for 14 Oct 2026.
  • Evidence Presented: On 13 Oct 2026, the Officer‑in‑Charge, Bengabad P.S., issued a letter confirming the raid details, the seizure of the two tractors, and the status of compounding fee payment. The petitioner also annexed a Certificate of Registration (Annexure‑1) for the Eicher tractor.

Final Outcome

  • The Court observed that legal action had already been initiated against the Eicher tractor concerning the illegal sand seizure, rendering the petition’s prayer for release untenable.
  • Order No. 03 dated 14 Oct 2026 dismisses the writ petition.
  • The letter dated 13 Oct 2026 and its annexures are to be kept on record.

Topics: Legal Detention, Vehicle Seizure, Court Order