Jharkhand High Court pauses the anti-encroachment drive in Ranchi's HEC area until 31 December

18 September 2026

A bench headed by Justice Ananda Sen directed the Ranchi district administration to pause its anti-encroachment drive in the Heavy Engineering Corporation (HEC) area until 31 December.
The Court barred the Deputy Commissioner and the Senior Superintendent of Police from taking coercive action against the settlers until that date.
The settlers were directed to remove the structures themselves within the period.
The Court noted the coming festive season and said administrative action should be deferred.
The land along HEC Bypass Road belongs to HEC and the Railways; the drive had begun the previous Tuesday and was suspended after the order.