The Jharkhand High Court has ordered the impleading of WhatsApp in the Jharkhand Judge Uttam Anand hit-and-run case of 2021, wherein the judge was killed.
The Division Bench of Justice Ravi Ranjan and Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad passed this order while hearing a suo motu petition.
The progress report by way of the 23rd report of the case pertaining to the death of late Uttam Anand, District & Additional Sessions Judge-VIII (as he then was) has been placed in a sealed cover, which was opened during the proceeding of the case.
Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju submitted the agency is thoroughly investigating the conspiracy part, pertaining to the judge’s death.
He further submitted that in the course of investigation, certain information has been sought for from WhatsApp but information is not being furnished and therefore, non-furnishing the said information is coming in the way of further investigation.
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Therefore, Raju submitted to implead WhatsApp, through its Nodal Officer, as party to the proceeding so that the information which has been sought for may be furnished and it will be proper for furtherance of investigation.
“The Court has heard the aforesaid submission and is of the view that the WhatsApp is required to be implemented as party to the proceeding which will be proper for furtherance of the investigation. However, as on today, the detailed address for service of notice upon the Nodal Officer of WhatsApp is not available, and therefore, adjournment for today has been sought for”
-the Court observed.
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“Considering the aforesaid submission, let this matter be listed on 01.04.2022, so that the proper address of WhatsApp may be furnished for its impleadment in the present proceeding. Let a further progress report be placed before the Court on the next date of hearing. On that date, the Investigating Officer of the case will remain present before the Court through online mode”
-the Court ordered.