The Supreme Court, on Friday, took suo motu cognisance of the alleged mowing down of Dhanbad Additional District Judge (ADJ) Uttam Anand by an autorickshaw and sought a status report of investigation from the Jharkhand government through the Chief Secretary and DGP within a week.
The Supreme Court, in its order, said that “having regard to the seriousness of the issue and its larger ramifications, we direct the Chief Secretary and DGP, Jharkhand to jointly submit a status report of inquiry vis-a-vis the sad demise of the Judicial Officer Uttam Anand, with the Registry of this Court within a week. However, we make it very clear that we are not interfering in the proceedings going on before the High Court of Jharkhand.”
The Supreme Court further stated that “it has been brought to the notice of this Court that similar incidents are happening across the country. Taking into consideration the duty and obligation of the state to create an environment and accord full protection to judicial officers and legal fraternity so that they can perform their duties fearlessly, we deem it appropriate to take up this matter suo motu. As there is an urgent need for wider consideration and a consequential detailed explanation(s) by all concerned, we will consider the desirability of issuing notice to all other states and Union Territories on the next date of hearing.”
Speaking to media on 29 July, Amol Vinukant Homkar, IG said that an FIR has been registered under section 302 of the IPC (murder). “SIT, headed by City SP Dhanbad, has been formed. CID and FSL team have also been deputed to help them in the investigation. “For further investigation, an SIT has been formed under the leadership of Lathkar. Further investigation will be done carefully. Action will be taken as per the further facts that come up,” he added.
“Based on facts that came up during investigation and CCTV footage, two people and auto involved in the crime were identified. Lakhan Kumar Verma and Rahul Verma have been arrested and the auto has also been seized from their possession, said Homkar.
According to the police, Anand was taking a morning walk when a vehicle crushed him near the Magistrate Colony in Dhanbad. He was admitted to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, said the police.
