SUSHIL SOREN vs ENVIRONMENT , FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE DEPARTMENT on 6 November 2026

1. The Union of India through the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Indira Prayawaran Bhawan, Jorbag, Aliganj, New Delhi-110003.

2. The State of Jharkhand through the Chief Secretary, Project Building, PO & PS Dhurwa, District Ranchi, Pin- 834004.

3. Principal Secretary, Department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Government of Jharkhand having office at Nepal House, PO & PS Doranda, District Ranchi, Pin- 834002.

4. Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Head of Forest Force (HoFF), Van Bhawan, PO & PS Doranda, District Ranchi, Pin- 834002.

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5. Accountant General (A&E), Jharkhand having its office at A. G. Officer, Doranda, PO & PS Doranda, District Ranchi, Pin- 834002. ……..Respondents

For Applicant:-

Mr. Bhanu Kumar, v/c mode For Respondents:-

Mr. Ranesh Anand, SPC

ORDER (ORAL)

PER:- MR. KUMAR RAJESH CHANDRA, MEMBER[A]

1. Heard learned counsel for the applicant and Counsel appearing on behalf of Union of India. None appears on behalf of State of Jharkhand.

2. After arguing the matter for some time, learned counsel for the applicant submits that the ends of justice would be met if the applicant's representation dated 22.09.2024 (Annexure-A/12) is considered and decided by the respondent authorities/competent authority within a stipulated period, in accordance with the applicable rules, regulations and procedure.

3. Learned counsel for the Union of India, Mr. Ranesh Anand, who has appeared upon receipt of an advance copy of the OA, has raised a preliminary objection regarding the maintainability of the instant OA, particularly on the ground of delay in its filing.

4. In view of the submissions made by learned counsel for the parties, I deem it appropriate to dispose of the instant OA with a direction to the respondent authorities/competent authority to consider and decide the pending representation of the applicant dated 22.09.2024 (Annexure- A/12) within a period of 90 days from the date of receipt of a certified

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Sonali Lal copy of this order, by passing a reasoned and speaking order in accordance with the applicable rules, regulations and law.

5. Needless to mention that this Tribunal has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the claim of the applicant. The preliminary objection raised by learned counsel for the respondents regarding the maintainability of the OA on the ground of delay in its filing is duly taken on record. Learned counsel for the respondents has, however, expressed no objection to the disposal of the representation by the competent authority, without prejudice to the aforesaid objection.

6. It is made clear that, in the event the representation of the applicant is rejected and the applicant chooses to seek further adjudication of his grievance before the appropriate forum, all questions on merits as well as the issue of delay and maintainability shall remain open for consideration in accordance with law.

7. With the above directions, the OA stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

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(Kumar Rajesh Chandra) (Justice Narendra Kumar Johari) Member (A) Member (J)

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