The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to hear the matter regarding killing of a Dhanbad Additional District and Sessions Judge, saying that the Jharkhand High Court has already taken suo motu cognisance of the case.
Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana said that Jharkhand High Court has already taken up the issue and interference by Supreme Court at this stage will only cause hindrance.
“I spoke to the Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court. He has taken up the case and all officers are asked to be present. Now leave it there. If we involve at this stage, the probe will be hindered,” the CJI said.
The statement came in response to Senior Advocate and Supreme Court Bar Association President Vikas Singh urging the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognisance of the incident.
Mr Singh mentioned the matter before Justice DY Chandrachud. He 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 attack on judicial independence my lord.”
“I am sure it is before the Chief Justice of India. On my behalf too, I will take it up,” Justice Chandrachud said.
Mr Singh then proceeded to mention the matter before the CJI. “This needs to be handed over to CBI. If someone is killed for rejecting bail of gangster,” Mr Singh told the CJI.
“Don’t jump to conclusions. We are aware of it. Let the HC look at it,” Justice Ramana responded.
Dhanbad Additional District and Sessions Judge Uttam Anand was hit by an unidentified vehicle, while he was taking a morning walk near his residence at Judge’s Colony in Hirapur on Wednesday.
While it was initially believed to be an accident, CCTV footage of the incident revealed that the four-wheeler deliberately rammed into the Judge as he was walking along the edge of the road.
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Judge Anand was hearing the murder case of Ranjay Singh, close aide of Jharia MLA Sanjeev Singh. Moreover, he had recently rejected the bail petitions of two members of a gang of Aman Singh, a notorious gangster of Uttar Pradesh.
Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court Ravi Ranjan took suo motu cognizance of the death of Judge Anand and issued orders asking the SSP, Dhanbad to remain present before the Court today.