Jharkhand High Court Holds Hearing On Sunday To Order Clearance Of Bokaro Steel Plant Blockade By Congress MLA & Agitators
The Jharkhand High Court was considering a writ petition filed by the Steel Authority of India Limited, which was notified for its hearing during the holidays.
The Jharkhand High Court held an urgent hearing on a Sunday (October 18, 2026) during the ensuing Puja holidays regarding the issue of the blockade of the Bokaro Steel Plant of the Steel Authority of India Limited. The High Court took note of the assurance of the Deputy Commissioner that he was fully capable of bringing the situation under control.
The High Court was considering a writ petition which was notified for its hearing during the holidays.
The Single Bench of Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad noted, “The Deputy Commissioner, Bokaro has once again stated before this Court that there is no necessity to call upon any higher authority, as he is fully capable of bringing the situation under control.”
“This Court, based upon the undertaking furnished by the Deputy Commissioner, Bokaro in the Court proceeding, for the present is not calling upon the Secretary, Home rather having hope and trust upon the statement as has been given by the Deputy Commissioner, Bokaro, and, is thereby deferring the matter for today”, it added.
Advocate Indrajit Sinha represented the Petitioner while Additional Advocate General Jai Prakash represented the Respondent.
Factual Background
A letter was sent on behalf of Bokaro Steel Limited, a unit under the Steel Authority of India Limited by addressing the Registrar General of the High Court that a situation of complete blockade was created at all the gates of the Bokaro Steel Plant by the local Congress MLA of Bokaro, Shwettaa Singh, along with agitators of the Visthapit Apprentice Sang (VAS). The situation was warranted due to their interruption, causing the entry and exit of employees, maintenance staff, raw materials, and essential supplies to be severely obstructed. These instances created jeopardy to the smooth, continuous operation of the plant.
The petitioner claimed that even though the representation was made by the SAIL/BSL to the District Administration, Chas, Bokaro, the same had remained unattended.
Reasoning
The Bench took note of the submission of the Deputy Commissioner, Bokaro that the apprehension of disruption would not be permitted to emerge. He had assured that all effective measures would be adopted to prevent any obstruction in the ingress and egress of employees and executives to and from the unit at the commencement and conclusion of their duty shifts. He had further assured the Court that appropriate measures would be taken to dispel any fear from the minds of the employees in the discharge of their official duties, thereby enabling them to enter the unit and return to their respective residences without apprehension.
On a query being asked whether he was facing any difficulty on account of the persons involved in the protest, the Deputy Commissioner stated that there was no necessity to call upon any higher authority, as he was fully capable of bringing the situation under control.
“The matter is being posted on 28.10.2026 as a first case”, it ordered.
Cause Title: Steel Authority of India Limited v. The State of Jharkhand (Case No.: W.P.(Cr.) No. 639 of 2026)
Appearance
Petitioner: Advocates Indrajit Sinha, Bibhash Sinha, Rishav Raj
Respondent: AAC-IA Jai Prakash