In a significant ruling, the Jharkhand High Court has halted Bokaro Steel Plant's management from cutting off water and electricity supplies to leaseholders who fail to pay the demanded renewal fees. The court has issued an immediate stay on the plant management's ultimatum to either pay the hefty renewal fees or face lease cancellation and utility disconnection.
The court's directive explicitly stated that essential services such as water and electricity should not be disconnected for the leaseholders. This decision has been welcomed by the Bokaro Plot Holders Association, with its president, Rajendra Vishwakarma, expressing relief over the judgment. Vishwakarma criticized the Bokaro Steel Plant management for issuing final notices that deprived leaseholders of their rights and coerced them into paying the renewal fees under the threat of losing essential services.
The court's decision came during the hearing of writ petitions WP(C) 3150/2024 (Abhay Giri vs. SAIL) and WP(C) 3131/2024 (Hari Narayan and Company vs. SAIL). Advocate Rahul Lamba represented the petitioners, arguing against the unjust demands and the management's coercive tactics. The judgment was delivered by Honorable Justice Anand Sen, providing much-needed relief to the leaseholders and bolstering their hope for justice.
