The Supreme Court on Friday said, “A new trend in this country. If an adverse order is passed then judiciary is maligned. If judges file a complaint to police or CBI they do not respond.”
The Bench, led by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and also comprising Justice Surya Kant, was hearing the suo motu PIL filed over the mounting concerns about the dangers faced by the subordinate judiciary, especially trial judges, in the line of duty.
“Intelligence bureau and CBI is not helping judiciary at all,” observed Justice Ramana.
Advocate General of Jharkhand Rajiv Ranjan informed the court that the drivers of vehicle which fatally knocked down Judge Uttam Anand, were apprehended on the night of the incident. He added that the State Government has transferred the investigation of the case to CBI.
The top court then issued notice to the CBI and listed the matter for hearing on Monday.
Attorney General of India K.K. Venugopal submitted, “The Judges go through many difficulties during the hearing of high-profile cases, specially high-profile criminal cases.” He further submitted that the Government of India will file its reply within a week.
The apex court had earlier 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.
Also Read: Splitting of Supreme Court: Rijiju says matter sub-judice before Constitutional bench
It said it would be focussing on the larger aspects of the case, including the threats and appalling working conditions in which the 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 directed the Jharkhand government and the state Director General of Police to file their affidavits in a week.