Killing Of Jharkhand Judge : Supreme Court Takes Suo Motu Case On Safeguarding Courts, Protecting Judges

The Supreme Court on Friday took suo motu cognizance of the killing of an Additional District Judge in Jharkhand, Uttam Anand, who was knocked down by a vehicle while on his morning jog at Dhanbad on July 28.A bench headed by the Chief Justice of India NV Ramana directed the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police Jharkhand to submit a report on status of inquiry in 1 week. The suo moto case is given the name "In Re Safeguarding Courts and Protecting Judges (Death of Additional Sessions Judge, Dhanbad).The bench made it clear that the Supreme Court is aware that the High Court of Jharkhand is seized of the matter and that, by this suo motu cognisance, it is not interfering in the proceedings before the High Court.The bench added that it is concerned with the larger issue of nature of the incident and the steps taken by the state governments for protection of judicial officers inside and outside the court premises.The bench observed that in view of similar incidents happening across the country, the issue requires a larger consideration for a detailed examination of the issue of the protection of judicial officers and the interests of the legal fraternity.Listing the matter after 1 week, the bench added that it shall consider the issuance of notice on the other states, the Advocates-General of the other states at the next hearing. Disturbing CCTV visuals of the judge, who was posted as Additional District and Sessions Judge at Dhanbad, being mowed down by a vehicle have emerged, suggesting that the killing was deliberate. Yesterday, the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association Senior Advocate Vikas Singh had mentioned the incident before the CJI, urging the Court to take suo motu cognizance."This has to be taken by CBI. If someone who rejects a gangster's bail is killed like this, there will be no judiciary in this country", Vikas Singh said."It is shocking. A judge is on a morning walk and is hit by a vehicle!. He was dealing with bail applications of gangsters. This is an attack on judicial independence", he added.The CJI had then said that as the Jharkhand High Court has already taken cognizance of the incident, the Supreme Court's intervention might not be needed.Click here to read/download order

Killing Of Jharkhand Judge : Supreme Court Takes Suo Motu Case On Safeguarding Courts, Protecting Judges

Mehal Jain

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