Authority: High Court of Jharkhand at Ranchi
Order Date: 8 July 2026
Case Overview
- Petitioner: Ramjee Singh, 79‑year‑old resident of Chandaur, Katras, Dhanbad.
- Opposite Parties: State of Jharkhand and Mr. Sudhakar Prasad, General Manager (Area‑V, Sijuwa) of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL).
- The contempt proceeding stemmed from alleged willful non‑compliance with the Court’s order dated 7 May 2024 in W.P.(S) No.5546 of 2015, which required BCCL to consider the petitioner’s claim for gratuity.
- BCCL, as Opposite Party No.2, issued a reasoned order on 28 February 2025 (Ref. No. GM/SA/SPA/F‑18/2025/201) denying gratuity, relying on the Supreme Court judgment in Western Coalfields Ltd v. Manohar Govinda Fulzele (Civil Appeal No.2608 of 2025, SLP(C) No.10088 of 2020) dated 17 February 2025.
- The petitioner was directed to challenge the reasoned order before the appropriate forum if dissatisfied.
Final Outcome
- The High Court held that the reasoned order dated 28 Feb 2025 satisfied the earlier directive, indicating compliance.
- Consequently, the contempt case was disposed of without further proceedings.
- The petitioner retains the right to appeal the reasoned order in a suitable forum.
Topics: Contempt, Gratuity, Coal Mining