Authority: High Court of Odisha, Cuttack

Order Date: 10.09.2026

Case Overview

  • Parties: Petitioner Rakesh Badhan vs. Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Chakradharpur, Jharkhand and other railway officials.
  • Counsel: Mr. P.K. Nayak (Petitioner’s counsel) and Mrs. U. Padhi (Additional Standing Counsel for State‑Opposite Parties).
  • Nature of Petition: The petitioner alleged that railway authorities had unauthorisedly encroached his land by constructing two pillars on Plot No.207/2394, Khata No.220/150, mouza‑Jharmunda, Odisha.
  • Pending Representation: The petitioner’s representation, annexed as Annexure‑4, was pending with the railway authority.
  • Court’s Observations: The Court disposed of the writ petition at the admission stage, directing the Assistant Divisional Engineer, South Eastern Railway, Jharsuguda, to consider the grievance as per the representation and render a decision in accordance with law.
  • Directions:
  • Decision to be taken within two months from receipt of a certified copy of this order and the writ petition.
  • If required, the petitioner may be granted a personal hearing.
  • Status quo on the disputed land (Plot No.207/2394, Khata No.220/150, mouza‑Jharmunda) shall be maintained until the railway’s decision.
  • An urgent certified copy of the order shall be granted on proper application.

Final Outcome

  • The writ petition is disposed of at the admission stage.
  • The railway authority is mandated to decide the petitioner’s grievance within two months and maintain the status quo on the land.
  • An urgent certified copy of the order is to be issued.

Topics: Land Encroachment, Railway Authority, Judicial Order