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Supreme Court, today, in Suo Moto Case taken up in light of ASJ Dhanbad Uttam Anand's death, issued notice to CBI and asked the State Governments to answer by August 17 on larger issue of Security of Judges in the State.

Stressing over the lack of seriousness by the CBI and the IB in the matter, The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and Justice Surya Kant stated,

“In one or two places, Court ordered CBI inquiry. It is sad to say that CBI has done nothing. We expected some change in CBI's attitude. But there has been no change. We are sorry to observe that.”

Court directed the CBI to apprise the Bench on progress of investigation in Judge Uttam Anand's case, by the next date of hearing.

“Judges are not just being attacked physically but also mentally by sending intimidating messages on Whatsapp, circulating posts in social media, etc,” the bench added.

Replying to this and other queries of the Bench, Advocate General K.K. Venugopal further submitted that the incident is likely to have cross-border implications and larger conspiracy.

On 30^th July, the Division Bench, after the Jharkhand High Court took notice of the incident took suo moto cognizance of the matter.

While allowing the Jharkhand High Court to continue its monitoring of the alleged killing, directions were issued to the DGP Jharkhand to provide the status of investigation regarding the alleged murder of Judge, Uttam Anand.

The Apex Court had noted that it is the inherent duty of every State to protect judicial officers and lawyers to let them function independently and fearlessly while endeavoring to dispense justice.

Facts in Brief

The judge Uttam Anand was killed in Dhanbad city of Jharkhand after being hit by an auto-rickshaw while he was on a morning walk.

CCTV footage of the incident surfaced suggesting that the auto-rickshaw hit the judge from the back and fled from the spot.

The judge was rushed to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. 

On 29^th July, the Jharkhand High Court took suo moto cognizance of Jharkhand Judge Uttam Anand's Death and had directed to form the Special Investigation to probe into the incident and to submit its report on August 3. The Court had issued directions based on a letter sent by the Principal District and Sessions Judge, regarding the unfortunate demise of judge Anand (Court on its own motion v. State of Jharkhand).

It was initially believed to be an accident but the CCTV footage of the incident which had surfaced suggesting that the vehicle was deliberately rammed into the judge as he was walking along the edge of the road.

On 31^st July, the Jharkhand government had recommended the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe in the alleged killing of Additional District Judge.

It is also pertinent to be noted here that, Judge Uttam Anand was hearing some high-profile cases including the murder case of Ranjay Singh, a 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 criminal/gangster of Uttar Pradesh.

The matter will be next heard on August 9, 2021.

Case Title: Safeguarding Courts and Protecting Judges (Death of Additional Sessions Judge, Dhanbad)| SMW (Crl) No 2/2021