The Jharkhand High Court has provided a significant reprieve in a contentious property dispute, extending its stay order against the planned demolition of Kailash Kothi. This structure is located within the campus of the prominent Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi.
Court Halts Demolition Drive
On Monday, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Rajesh Shankar continued the legal protection for the building. The bench was hearing a petition filed by Khushbu Singh, who claims to be the rightful owner of Kailash Kothi. Singh approached the high court after the Ranchi district administration issued eviction and demolition notices for the property.
Ownership Claims and Administrative Action
The petitioner, Khushbu Singh, has presented legal documents before the court to substantiate her claim of ownership. A key argument in her petition is that the property was never formally acquired by RIMS, and no compensation for such acquisition was ever paid to her. This claim directly challenges the administration's basis for the demolition.
The district administration's action was part of a larger drive to clear encroachments from the RIMS campus. This drive itself was being conducted in compliance with earlier orders passed by the Jharkhand High Court to reclaim institutional land.
Verification Ordered, Next Steps Await
In a crucial move, the division bench has directed the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Ranchi to verify the authenticity of the documents submitted by Khushbu Singh. This verification process will be pivotal in determining the future course of the case. The extension of the stay order means the demolition cannot proceed until the court reviews the DC's report and makes a further determination.
The case highlights the complex legal challenges often involved in land and property disputes on government or institutional campuses. The outcome will set a precedent for how similar claims of ownership are handled against actions taken for removing encroachments.
