Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: The Jharkhand High Court expressed displeasure during a hearing on a public interest litigation filed by Gokul Chand regarding the ongoing land survey in the state, questioning why a junior departmental officer had filed an affidavit when the court had specifically directed the Secretary of the Revenue, Registration and Land Reforms Department to respond.
Court’s Directions
A division bench of Chief Justice MS Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar directed the Revenue Secretary to file an affidavit by July 15, including any new developments in the matter, and to inform the court by when land survey work will be completed across all districts of Jharkhand. The next hearing has been fixed for July 21. Advocate General Rohit Rai sought time on behalf of the government, assuring that the Secretary would file the affidavit.
50 Years and Still Incomplete
The court had on June 17, 2025 directed the Revenue Secretary to complete new technology-related work within four weeks and finish land survey across all Jharkhand districts within six months. Neither directive was complied with. The government had informed the court that it was studying new land survey technology used in Kerala, Karnataka, and other states. Notably, land survey work in Jharkhand began in 1975 and remains incomplete after 50 years. Only two districts — Latehar and Lohardaga — have had their surveys completed so far.
