Dialogue resolves Dhanbad court parking row; Jharkhand High Court closes PIL
SUMAN K SHRIVASTAVA Ranchi, Aug. 6: The Jharkhand High Court on Thursday disposed of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the…
SUMAN K SHRIVASTAVA
Ranchi, Aug. 6: The Jharkhand High Court on Thursday disposed of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the Dhanbad Bar Association after noting that the immediate grievances relating to parking, access corridors and emergency exits at the Dhanbad Civil Court campus had been substantially resolved through dialogue among all stakeholders.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice M.S. Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar observed that the matter, instead of becoming adversarial, was resolved through cooperation between the Bar Association, district administration, police and district judiciary.
The PIL had been filed by the Dhanbad Bar Association through its president, Radhey Shyam Goswami, seeking restoration of access corridors and emergency exits in the Bar Association building, removal of alleged illegal obstructions at Justice S.B. Sinha Dwar, reopening of the western gates and adequate parking facilities for advocates.
In its judgment, the High Court noted that throughout the proceedings, none of the parties adopted an adversarial stand. Instead, all stakeholders worked towards finding a practical solution.
The court also recorded the assurance of the Bar Association that its members would refrain from any extra-judicial measures such as strikes, while the district administration assured the court that all reasonable efforts would be made to address the concerns.
The Bench observed that the spirit of cooperation ultimately enabled a satisfactory resolution of the dispute without prolonged litigation.
Series of stakeholder meetings
The court traced the progress made since March this year.
By an order dated March 12, 2026, the High Court had directed the Principal District Judge, Dhanbad, to convene a joint meeting of stakeholders, observing that the parking dispute was capable of being resolved amicably through dialogue.
Subsequently, stakeholder meetings were held on March 28 and April 11, leading to a decision to implement a short-term parking management plan by April 21.
When the deadline could not be met, the High Court granted an additional 15 days for implementation and sought a roadmap for a permanent solution.
Later, on May 14, the court recorded substantial compliance with the short-term arrangements after vendors were shifted from the court premises and traffic police personnel were deployed to regulate parking.
On June 25, the court directed that another stakeholder meeting be held to finalise the long-term proposal.
Interim parking solution implemented
Pursuant to the High Court’s directions, a stakeholder meeting was held on July 9 under the chairmanship of the Principal District Judge, Dhanbad. It was attended by the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police (City), office-bearers of the Dhanbad Bar Association and counsel representing the petitioner.
According to the counter affidavit placed before the court, the meeting concluded with a consensus and an interim arrangement has since been implemented.
The High Court noted that sufficient parking space has now been created for advocates and litigants after roadside vendors were shifted to a designated vending zone. Police personnel have also been deployed to ensure that the vacated space is not reoccupied.
The Bench observed that the immediate grievance regarding parking had been substantially redressed.
Jail relocation proposed as permanent solution
The court noted that stakeholders had also agreed on a long-term solution under which the jail located opposite the Dhanbad Civil Court complex would eventually be shifted to the outskirts of the city.
The relocation would free up valuable land for creating permanent parking and addressing the long-standing space constraints faced by advocates and litigants.
However, the Bench observed that implementation of the proposal would depend upon approval by the State Government and would naturally require time.
The court said such decisions must balance the interests of all stakeholders and not merely those of advocates or litigants.
High Court records appreciation
While disposing of the PIL, the High Court expressed hope that the assurances given regarding the long-term proposal would be pursued with seriousness and would not remain unfulfilled.
The Division Bench placed on record its appreciation for the District Administration, police authorities, officers of the district judiciary and members of the Dhanbad Bar Association for their cooperative and accommodative approach throughout the proceedings.
The court also specifically appreciated advocate Shailesh Kumar Singh, counsel for the petitioner, observing that his constructive and non-adversarial approach had materially facilitated the resolution of the dispute. It similarly acknowledged the positive role played by the State administration and its counsel.
Holding that the immediate grievances had been substantially addressed through dialogue rather than adjudication, the High Court disposed of the PIL along with all pending interlocutory applications.
