Jharkhand High Court Halts Demolition of Controversial Property

The Jharkhand High Court has extended a stay on the demolition of Kailash Kothi, a property located on the grounds of the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi. The decision was made on December 15, 2023, by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Rajesh Shankar.

The case arose after a petition was filed by Khushbu Singh, who asserts ownership of the property. Singh approached the court following a notice of eviction and demolition issued by the district administration. This action is part of a broader anti-encroachment drive aimed at clearing unauthorized structures from the RIMS campus, in compliance with previous high court directives.

Singh presented documents to substantiate her claim of ownership during the hearing. She argued that Kailash Kothi was never officially acquired by RIMS, countering the administration’s attempts to remove the structure. In response, the court ordered the deputy commissioner to verify the authenticity of the documents submitted by Singh and to provide the gadget notification for plot number 1,694 in Morabadi Mauja, where the property is situated.

The high court had previously instructed the district administration to eliminate all encroachments from the RIMS premises within a strict timeframe of 72 hours, as mandated in a ruling issued on December 3, 2023. The ongoing legal dispute highlights the complexities surrounding property ownership and land use rights within public institutions in Jharkhand.

This ruling not only pauses the demolition but also reflects the court’s commitment to thoroughly examining ownership claims before allowing any further action. The outcome of this case may set a significant precedent regarding property rights in the region, particularly in relation to state-owned land and facilities.