Patna High Court
Priya Ranjan KumarversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISPOSED
- Bench
- RAJIV ROY
Holding
The petition is disposed of with a direction that the matter be decided within four weeks after the strike is over.
Summary
The petitioner, Priya Ranjan Kumar, filed a writ petition seeking an order directing the Circle Officer of Dumra to computerise and put online his land record (Jamabandi) which is already established offline, and to set aside the Circle Officer’s order dated 03 November 2025 rejecting his application. The petitioner alleged that the Circle Officer acted with ulterior motive and failed to comply with mandatory state guidelines for online Jamabandi. The respondents contended that the pending strike of state employees prevented any decision on the matter. The Court noted the strike as a valid impediment and directed that once the strike is over, the case must be concluded within four weeks with a reasoned order. Accordingly, the petition was disposed of with a direction to decide post‑strike.
Issues considered
- Whether the Circle Officer’s refusal to computerise the petitioner’s Jamabandi violates mandatory state guidelines.
- Whether the petition can be entertained and decided despite the ongoing strike of state employees.
Subjects
- Land reform
- Jamabandi
- Computerisation of land records
- Writ petition
- Administrative law
- Strike
- Delay in justice
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.282 of 2026
======================================================
Priya Ranjan Kumar S/o Ram Ekawal Ray, R/o Village- Vishawanathpur,
P.S.- Dumra, Dist.- Sitamarhi.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The State of Bihar through the Additional Chief Secretary, Land and
Reforms Department, Bihar, Patna.
2. The Collector Cum District Magistrate, Sitamarhi.
3. The Circle Officer, Dumra, Dist.- Sitamarhi.
... ... Respondent/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Santosh Kumar, Adv.
For the Respondent/s : Mr. Government Pleader (04)
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJIV ROY
ORAL ORDER
5 27-04-2026 Heard the parties.
2. The present application has been preferred for the
following relief(s):
That, by the way of this writ
application the petitioner prays for issuance
of the appropriate
writ/writs/direction/directions/order/orders
commanding the state respondent specially
the Circle Officer Dumra Sitamarhi to nake
computerization and online Jamabandi of the
plot of the petitioner in respect of each
offline Jamabandi as Jan abandi no. - 1393
(case no. -4487/17-18) is already established
in the name of petitioner appertaining to
Khata no. -248, Kheshara no. -90, Area
-15.5 decimal situated in Mauja -Madanpur,
Patna High Court CWJC No.282 of 2026(5) dt.27-04-2026
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Anchal - Dumra, Thana-344, Dist. -
Sitamarhi.
And further prayer is also made to
quash and set aside the order dated 03 Nov
2025 passed by the Circle Officer whereby
and whereunder the application filed by the
petitioner (Application no.
250428792430312) for the aforesaid purpose
has been rejected with ulterior motive
despite of submissions of all required
documents.
Whereas the all Circle Officers of
Bihar are duty bound and under mandatory
liability as per mandatory guidelines of the
state government to make entry of the online
computerized Jamabandi of all raiyats/land
holders of Bihar Suo Moto whose offline
Jamabandi established since earlier because
all entries are available in the office of
Circle Office since earlier and he has to do
this Suo Moto.
Despite of these facts, if C.O.
harasses the land holders it means there is
ulterior motive of the Circle Officer.
3. A counter affidavit has come on behalf of the State
respondents and learned State Counsel has taken this Court to
paragraph 7 of the counter affidavit filed on behalf of the
respondent nos. 2 and 3 to show that due to the strike in the
Patna High Court CWJC No.282 of 2026(5) dt.27-04-2026
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State of Bihar, the decision could not be taken.
4. In that background, the writ petition is disposed of
with a direction that once the strike is over, within a period of
four weeks thereafter, the present case shall be taken to its
logical conclusion by a reasoned order.
(Rajiv Roy, J)
Vijay Singh/-
U
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