The assurance of the CJI-led bench which on Friday took suo motu cognizance of the death of Uttam Anand, the Dhanbad Additional District and Session Judge that it will address the larger issue of security for judicial officers across the country is indeed something that has been wished by the legal fraternity for long. Terming the incident “gruesome with larger ramifications,” the apex court also observed that similar incidents are happening across the country and as such creation of an environment that would ensure full protection of judicial officers as well as the legal fraternity is necessary. If the noble intention gets implemented in letter and spirit in the coming days, it goes without saying that the platform of judiciary would enrich further, thereby leading to a more vibrant democracy.

 

The incident was originally perceived to be a hit-and-run case until the video footage that has now gone viral on social media surfaced. As per the footage, the vehicle had intentionally hit the judge and from subsequent investigation that is still on, a few possible reasons for this lethal attack have emerged, that under the eyes of law are serious. It has been alleged that the death is in retaliation for the rejection of bail applications by the judge that were filed by gangsters. As per records, ASJ Anand in July itself passed as many as 36 orders in sensitive cases ranging from alleged sexual harassment, sale of fake lottery tickets and alleged diversion of scholarships for minority school students. A detailed investigation can only establish whether these cases too have any link with the alleged ‘revenge killing’. That the SC bench has given a week’s time to the Chief Secretary and DGP of Jharkhand to submit a joint status report of inquiry indicates that it will not tolerate any delay in delivery of justice and go all-out to unearth the truth. It will be relevant to recall that a week earlier on July 22, the SC while hearing a bail petition case observed that ‘parallel systems’ of justice are at work in the country, one for the rich and the other for the poor and how trial judges are becoming targets for adhering strictly to the book of law and are subjected to political pressure. In the said case the apex court’s bench while observing that independence of the judiciary is the independence of each and every judge, also remarked that independence of subordinate judiciary must be protected from all external influences and pressures.

The infamous death case of ASJ Anand will be followed keenly not only with the longing that the culprits get punished, but also with the wish that it gives way to a mechanism that would ensure a more robust and interference-free judiciary, the pillar which is perhaps the last hope for people.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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