WPA/5703/2026 of SANDHYA RANI MAHATO Vs STATE OF WEST BENGAL AND ORS.

D/L- 21 12/03/2026 Ct. No.-19 Aritra WPA 5703 of 2026 Sandhya Rani Mahato Vs. The State of West Bengal & Ors. Mr. Rabilal Maitra, Sr. Adv. Mr. Rajit Lal Maitra ….for the petitioner Mr. Rajarshi Basu Mr. S. T. Mina ….for the State Affidavit of service filed in Court today is taken on record. The petitioner claims to be the owner of several plots of land as specifically mentioned in paragraphs 2 and 4 of the writ petition situated within the jurisdiction of Sankrail Police Station. Petitioner alleges that several fraudulent deeds have been prepared in respect of several plots of land including the plots of the petitioner. The petitioner claims to have approached various authorities ventilating his grievance but no steps have been taken by such authority to protect the right, title, interest and possession of the petitioner in respect of the aforesaid plots. The learned advocate appearing for the petitioner draws attention of the Court to letters issued to various authorities including the Superintendent of Police. 2 The learned advocate appearing for the State submits that a written complaint has been received from the District Sub-Registrar, Jhargram, stating that several complaints have been received by him from the residents of Bakra and Angarnali alleging that several land deeds have been fraudulently registered in his office by using forged and fabricated documents. The report indicates number of several deeds which are alleged to have been forged and fabricated. The said deed covers the properties situated in Bakra and Angarnali mouzas. The report of the Officer-in-Charge, Sankrail Police Station dated March 11, 2026 filed by the learned advocate for the State is taken on record. After going through the said report it appears that on the basis of the complaint made by the District Sub- Registrar, Jhargram, Sankrail P.S. Case No.110/25 dated September 16, 2025 was registered under Sections 318(3)(4)/336(3)/340(2)/338/61(2) of BNS and investigation are proceeding. 164 disputed deeds have been seized as produced by the District Sub-Registrar, Jhargram and all seized electronic devices have been sent to Bidhannagar Cyber Crime Police Station for data extraction and further forensic examination at CFDEEL. The said report indicates that the investigation establishes a large scale organized land fraud, affecting hundreds of poor landowners. Statements of accused persons, victims and seized documentary and electronic evidence also 3 confirm the conspiracy. Key accused persons are also name in Sankrail Police Station Case No.116/25 dated October 8, 2025 and 117/20 dated October 9, 2025, indicating habitual involvement of similar fraudulent activities. It has been further indicated in the said report that charge-sheets in respect of the aforesaid 3 cases have been laid with a requisition for provision of submitting supplementary charge-sheet and the cases are sub judice. The said report further states that pursuant to an order passed by this Hon’ble Court on February 25, 2026, the case dockets have been transferred to the CID for further investigation. After going through the said report it appears that on the basis of the complaint made by the District Sub- Registrar, Jhargram, steps have been taken for registration of First Information Reports and after completion of investigation charge-sheets have also been laid. Thus, action has been taken and this Court hopes and trusts that the proceeding shall be taken to its logical conclusion expeditiously. However, in so far as the prayer of the petitioner for declaring certain deeds to be void ab initio, the remedy lies elsewhere. In case the petitioner approaches the Officer-in- Charge, Sankrail Police Station alleging commission of any cognizable offence, the Officer-in-Charge, Sankrail Police 4 Station shall take necessary steps in that regard without any delay. The petitioner is also left free to approach the appropriate forum insofar as the declaration of certain deeds to be void ab initio is concerned. At this stage, Mr. Maitra, learned senior advocate appearing for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is receiving threats from the persons, who are involved in the land scam and the police authority should be directed to protect the life and property of the petitioner. It is the duty of the police authorities to ensure peace and tranquility at the locale. The authorities of the local police station are directed to keep a sharp vigil at the locale and shall take immediate steps if a complaint is received from any person of the locality with regard to commission of any cognizable offence. With the above observations, WPA 5703 of 2026 stands disposed of. There will be no order as to costs. All parties shall act on the server copy of this order duly downloaded from the official website of this Court. (Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, J.)