Authority: High Court of Chhattisgarh at Bilaspur
Order Date: 06/07/2026
Case Overview
- Petitioner: Pramila Mahant, wife of Shri Bharat Das, daughter of late Lachhan Das, resident of Village Amgaon, Post Dipka, Tehsil Katghora, District Korba, Chhattisgarh.
- Respondents:
1. South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) through Chairman‑Cum‑Managing Director, Seepat Road, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.
2. Chief General Manager, SECL, Kusmunda Area, District Korba, Chhattisgarh.
- Relief Sought: Under Article 226, petitioner requested (i) the court to call for the entire case record, (ii) direction to SECL to provide her employment in lieu of the land acquired, (iii) direction to respondent No.2 to consider her application and grant employment, and (iv) costs of the petition.
- Background: The petitioner’s father, late Lachhan Das, owned land bearing Khasra No. 954/3, measuring 0.202 hectares (incorrectly mentioned as ‘acre’), located at Village Durpa. The land was acquired by SECL in FY 1987‑88. Despite repeated requests by the late father for employment, no action was taken. The petitioner submitted a representation dated 09.01.2023 to SECL, which remained unconsidered.
- Respondent’s Position: SECL submitted that another individual, Savita Bai, also filed an application claiming to be the daughter and legal representative of late Lachhan Das. The court observed discrepancies in the documents of both claimants concerning the death of Lachhan Das, caste, and family tree. Savita Bai was not impleaded in the present petition.
Final Outcome
- The court directed the petitioner to submit a fresh representation seeking employment, attaching a copy of this order and any other relevant documents, within 15 days from the date of the order.
- SECL is directed to consider and decide the fresh representation preferably within 90 days of receipt, in accordance with law.
- The writ petition is hereby disposed of, and any pending applications, if any, also stand disposed.
Topics: Employment, Land Acquisition, Court Order