The Supreme Court has on Monday directed the Jharkhand High Court Chief Justice to regularly monitor the investigation into the Dhanbad Judge Uttam Anand death case which will be conducted by the CBI.
The Bench comprising Chief Justice N.V. Ramana, Justice Vineet Saran and Justice Surya Kant held, “The CBI shall file the report of the investigation every week before the State High Court. And the High Court shall regularly monitor the investigation.”
On Saturday last, the apex court had issued notice to CBI in Judge Uttam Anand Death Case and the Safety of Judges Case.
The Supreme Court took suo-motu cognizance of the mounting concerns about the dangers faced by the subordinate judiciary, especially trial judges, in the line of duty.
The Apex Court has noted that the death of Judge Uttam Anand, who was fatally knocked down by a vehicle while he was out for a morning jog in Dhanbad, had “wider ramifications” on the independence of the judiciary.
The Supreme Court said it would be focusing on the larger aspects of the case, including the threats and appalling working conditions in which trial judges’ function. The Bench said its suo motu case would not interfere in any manner with the inquiry opened by the Jharkhand High Court on Thursday specifically into the judge’s death.
“The Dhanbad case has wider ramifications. We are getting reports that judicial officers are under attack across the country. We want to examine this issue and may seek reports from the States,” the CJI observed. The apex court asked the Jharkhand government and the Director General of Police to file their affidavits in a week.