SIT PROBE IN THE MURDER OF JUDGE UTTAM ANAND - JHARKHAND HC

The Jharkhand HC took suo moto case in the death of Dhanbad Additional and District Sessions Judge Uttam Anand. The HC bench directed a special investigation team (SIT) investigating the death of Judge Anand, who was mowed by an auto-rickshaw.

The Jharkhand HC bench of Justice Dr Ravi Ranjan and Justice Sujoy Narayan said that they want a speedy and fair investigation in the matter.

Judge Uttam Anand was hearing a high profile murder case of Ranjan Singh, a close aid of MLA Sanjeev Singh. In another case, Judge Uttam rejected the bail of two members of a criminal gang of Uttar Pradesh.

After the death of the judge, it was believed to be an accident. However, CCTV footage surfaced showing a vehicle deliberately rammed into the judge while he was walking on the edge of the road.

The HC bench directed the Director-General of Police to issue appropriate directions for the SIT and submit a report regarding the crime rate in Jharkhand from 2020.

The Divisional bench took suo moto of the issue based on a letter sent by the Principal District and Sessions Judge stating a sad and unfortunate demise of judge Uttam Anand.

The members of the Bar Council have also raised concern over the incident. "It is not a simple case of accident or murder; this case needs to be investigated by investigation agency on the angle that there might be an angle of conspiracy for killing the judicial officials."

Author: Papiha Ghoshal