Jharkhand High Court: A Division Bench of Dr Ravi Ranjan, CJ and Sujit Narayan Prasad, J., took suo motu cognizance to monitor the progress of the case taking into consideration the seriousness of the matter.
The instant court took suo motu cognizance about the incidence regarding the sad and unfortunate demise of Shri Uttam Anand (deceased), District and Additional Sessions Judge-VIII, Dhanbad on the basis of the letter written by Principal District and Sessions Judge, Dhanbad treating the letter as the writ petition in the nature of Public Interest Litigation.
Counsel for the State submitted that Special Investigating Team has already been constituted under the Superintendent of Police (City), Dhanbad by whom two persons have been apprehended and further that a high ranking officer of the State Police can head the Special Investigating Team suggesting the name of Mr Sanjay Anand Lathkar, IPS, Additional Director General (Operation).
The Court observed that a speedy, fair and professional investigation is required in the matter and apprehending a pawn would be meaningless unless the conspiracy is fully uncovered and the mastermind is nabbed. Time would be the essence of the matter in this investigation. Delay as well any flaw in the investigation may eventually affect the trial adversely.
The Court directed “the Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India and the Director, Central Bureau of Investigation to forthwith come up with appropriate order/notification for taking over the investigation.”
The Court also directed The State Government, through the Chief Secretary of the State and Director General of Police and the Head of the Special Investigating Team “to extend full co-operation to the Central Bureau of Investigation by extending all logistic support.”
The Court last questioned what steps are being taken to provide security to the court premises of the Civil Court, Dhanbad and residential premises of the judicial officers in the district of Dhanbad so that they may perform their judicial work without feeling any insecurity?
The matter is next posted for 12-08-2021 at the top of the list.[Court on its own motion v. State of Jharkhand, 2021 SCC OnLine Jhar 515, decided on 03-08-2021]
Arunima Bose, Editorial Assistant has reported this brief.
Appearances:
For the State: Mr Rajiv Ranjan, Advocate General
For the U.O.I.: Mr Rajiv Sinha, A.S.G.I.
For the Victim Family : Mr Sanjeev Sahay