Authority: High Court of West Bengal (Justice Om Narayan Rai, J.)
Order Date: 14 September 2026
Case Overview
- Petitioners: Binoy Kumar Das (petitioner) vs. State of West Bengal & others, including West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL).
- Nature of proceeding: Writ Petition (W.P.A. 1 WPA 24454 of 2026) seeking a writ of mandamus to restrain WBSEDCL from forcefully installing a sub‑station on the petitioner’s land without compensation.
- Petitioner’s allegation: The land is cultivated by him; forced occupation for a sub‑station would cause substantial damage and he is entitled to compensation.
- Respondent’s position (advocated by Dr. Madhusudan Saha Ray): Transmission towers for the sub‑station have already been installed; petitioner is not in physical possession; the land is vested and the petitioner is not the owner.
- Representation: Petitioner submitted a representation dated 16 July 2026 (Annexure P‑5) to WBSEDCL authorities alleging the above grievances.
- Court’s observations: The representation should be decided by the Zonal Manager, WBSEDCL, Murshidabad, in accordance with law, after granting the petitioner an opportunity of hearing within six weeks from the date of the order. The authority must pass a reasoned order and communicate it to the petitioner within one week of passing the order. The Court has not examined the merits of the case; all points remain open for determination by the respondent authority.
Final Outcome
- The writ petition (WPA 24454 of 2026) is disposed of without any costs awarded.
- Parties may obtain an urgent certified copy of the order, subject to compliance with requisite formalities.
Topics: Land Acquisition, Power Infrastructure, Legal Remedy