UditVani, Jamshedpur : The Jharkhand High Court on Wednesday issued a stern reprimand to the Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC) for repeatedly failing to furnish crucial information sought in a long-pending case involving illegal constructions, misuse of parking spaces, and irregular issuance of completion certificates across the city.
Writ Petition No. 2078/2018 (Rakesh Jha vs State of Jharkhand) was heard by the Bench of the Chief Justice and Justice Rajesh Shankar.
During the September 17 hearing, the court had directed JNAC to file a comprehensive affidavit detailing action taken against illegal occupants of parking spaces and builders involved in unauthorized constructions. The bench had also sought a tabular report of buildings issued or denied completion certificates, and the names of structures that received electricity and water connections without such certificates — along with tariff details.
However, the affidavit JNAC submitted on November 10 omitted all the mandated disclosures, prompting the court to warn of contempt proceedings and observe that the civic body was in “open defiance” of its directions. The Deputy Municipal Commissioner (DMC) Krishna Kumar had been ordered to appear and explain why contempt action should not follow.
At Wednesday’s hearing, JNAC again filed an affidavit bereft of the required information. The court, visibly agitated, initially considered punitive action against the special officer present. The officer explained that he was newly posted and that the primary responsibility lay with DMC Krishna Kumar.
The bench expressed astonishment, recalling previous instances when the Deputy Municipal Commissioner had allegedly attempted to mislead the court. Taking serious note of the disclosure that he was the “principal authority” behind key decisions, the court directed JNAC’s counsel and the special officer to ensure DMC Krishna Kumar’s personal presence on November 20.
Advocate Akhilesh Srivastava, appearing for the petitioner, alleged that JNAC had been “defrauding” the High Court since 2011 by repeatedly filing identical affidavits claiming that 46 buildings were sealed — despite the seals having been removed years ago, allowing further illegal construction. He said that of nearly 1,900 buildings, only 24 had valid completion certificates, pointing to widespread unauthorized development facilitated by successive administrations.
He further alleged that DMC Krishna Kumar had approved nearly 650 building plans over six years, all illegal, enabling builders to expand structures without proper permissions. Many buildings, Srivastava said, were granted electricity and water connections despite lacking mandatory completion certificates.
The Chief Justice questioned why only 54 completion certificates had been issued if no illegal construction existed. Instead of answering, JNAC’s counsel digressed into an argument about Jamshedpur soon being declared an “industrial town” by the Supreme Court — a claim that irritated the bench, prompting a warning that such conduct could lead to his removal from the courtroom.
Advocate Srivastava clarified that JNAC’s jurisdiction covers only 49 sq km of Jamshedpur’s nearly 200 sq km expanse, and that the “industrial town” argument had no relevance to the case. Regardless of its administrative status, he said, JNAC must answer for allowing illegal constructions and sanctioning utilities without completion certificates.
Advocates Akhilesh Srivastava and Neha Agrawal represented the petitioner.
The matter will again be heard on November 20, with the court expecting DMC Krishna Kumar’s personal explanation for JNAC’s alleged contempt and continuing non-compliance.
