Vikramaditya Malladeb v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

Sl.8 17.11.2025 Court No.19 BP WPA 25823 of 2025 Vikramaditya Malladeb -versus- The State of West Bengal & Ors.

Mr. Robiul Islam Mr. Masooq Rahman ..for the petitioner Mr. Lalit Mohan Mahato, Ld. AGP Ms. Ashima Das ..for the State Mr. Sanjoy Saha ..for the respondent no.3 The petitioner claims that the period of lease for sand excavation of the relevant sand block stood expired sometimes in the month of June, 2022. The petitioner states that he could not carry on the work of excavation of sand during the lease period on account of ongoing Covid pandemic as well as severe cyclones during the period of the lease. The petitioner claims to have submitted representations before various authorities but no steps have been taken by such authorities till date. The learned advocate appearing for the 3rd respondent submits that the 3rd respondent was not vested with the power at the relevant point of time and the prayer for extension cannot be considered by the respondent no.3. The appropriate authority to consider the prayer for extension is the Additional District Magistrate and District Land and Land Reforms Officer, Jhargram.

After going through the materials on record this Court finds that representations were submitted before

various authorities but no representation was submitted before the 5th respondent.

Mr. Mahato, learned Additional Government Pleader submits that the petitioner has not made out any case for extension of the lease in this writ petition. Without entering into the merits of the claim made by the petitioner for extension of the lease, WPA 25823 of 2025 stands disposed of by giving liberty to the petitioner to file a comprehensive representation before the Additional District Magistrate and District Land and Land Reforms Officer, Jhargram. If such representation is submitted, the said authority shall consider the prayer of the petitioner and dispose of the same by passing a reasoned order after giving an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner or his authorized representative and communicate the reasoned order to the petitioner immediately thereafter. The entire exercise shall be completed within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a server copy of this order along with a copy of the representation permitted to be submitted by this order.

There shall be, however, no order as to costs. Urgent certified photocopy of this order, if applied for, be supplied to the parties expeditiously on compliance of usual legal formalities.

(Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, J.)