Saryu Roy seeks contempt proceedings over encroachment in Dhanbad

Dhanbad district administration in cahoots with encroachers: MLA

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur: Jamshedpur West MLA Saryu Roy has written to the Speaker of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly, Ravindra Nath Mahato, demanding contempt proceedings against senior officials of Dhanbad district for failing to remove encroachment in Darida despite assurances made in the Assembly.

In his letter, Roy alleged that the Deputy Commissioner of Dhanbad, the Sub-Divisional Officer, and the Zonal Officer of Baghmara violated the government’s commitment given before the House. During the Monsoon Session on August 28, 2025, the Minister of Revenue, Registration, and Land Reforms had informed the Assembly that action had been initiated through Encroachment Case No. 7/2024-25 to free land illegally occupied by constructing a boundary wall in Mauza-Darida. The government had further assured that the encroachment would be cleared on September 8, 2025, with the deployment of magistrates and armed police.

However, Roy pointed out that no such action was carried out on the scheduled date. He alleged collusion between the district administration and the encroachers, accusing officials of deliberately ignoring the matter.

This was not the first time the MLA had raised the issue. He had earlier flagged the encroachment in August 2024 and March 2025 during Assembly sessions. The government had acknowledged illegal occupation of land belonging to weaker sections, including Scheduled Tribes and minority farmers, fenced off with brick and cement walls by influential individuals. Despite repeated assurances, no concrete steps had been taken, he claimed.

Roy emphasized that the administration’s inaction amounted to contempt of the House and a violation of the privilege of both the member and the Assembly itself. He requested the Speaker’s permission to initiate proceedings against the Deputy Commissioner, Sub-Divisional Officer, and Zonal Officer of Baghmara.

Calling the matter a gross failure of governance, Roy maintained that the issue highlighted the nexus between officials and land grabbers in Dhanbad. He reiterated his demand that the encroached land be freed immediately, as per the assurance given on the Assembly floor.