Maniram Munda v. The State Of West Bengal And ORS

Item No.13 05.01.2026 Court. No. 2 (gc) CALCUTTA HIGH COURT

IN THE CIRCUIT BENCH AT JALPAIGURI

APPELLATE JURISDICTION WPA 2584 of 2025 Maniram Munda VS The State of West Bengal & Ors.

Ms. Suman Sehanabis, Ms. Anwesha Chakraborty ... for the Petitioner.

Ms. Bedashruti Bose, Mr. Sandip Guha Roy ... for the State.

1. Affidavit-of-service filed in Court today be kept with the record.

2. Despite service, none appears on behalf of the respondent nos.7 to 9.

3. On the complaint of the petitioner against the respondent nos.7 to 9, Falakata Police Station Case No.441 of 2024 dated November 15, 2024 under Sections 3(1)(f) and 3(1)(g) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (hereinafter referred to as the "said Act") was registered. The petitioner is aggrieved by non-payment of compensation in terms of the Schedule and also for delay in the investigation.

4. The police authorities are directed to conclude the investigation with the urgency the case deserves. The said Act provides for a timebound investigation. It also appears that the compensation to be paid as per the Schedule appended to the Rules, after registration of the FIR, has not yet been released.

5. The learned Advocate for the State respondents has filed a report. It indicates that the investigation could not be concluded because the Block Land & Land Reforms Officer is required to file a clarificatory report on the details of the land. It further appears that the matter has been sent to the Secretary, Backward Classes Welfare Department for release of the amount to be paid to the petitioner towards compensation, as per the Rules.

6. Under such circumstances, the writ petition is disposed of with a direction upon the Secretary, Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal, to act in accordance with the provisions of the Schedule with regard to payment of the compensation to the petitioner at the initial stage when the FIR was lodged. The said amount shall be released

to the petitioner within a period of six weeks from date.

7. The police authorities shall complete the investigation and reach the same to its logical conclusion immediately.

8. Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of, leaving any other remedy available to the petitioner open, and to be agitated at any later stage, before the appropriate forum.

9. It is needless to mention that this order shall not preclude the petitioner from praying for further compensation in accordance with the provisions of law, in the event, charge-sheet is filed against the wrongdoers, upon conclusion of the investigation.

10. There shall be no order as to costs.

11. The parties are directed to act on the basis of the server copy of this order.

(Shampa Sarkar, J.)