Mystery shrouds the death of Jharkhand additional district judge (ADJ) Uttam Anand, who was found in a pool of blood beside a road and later succumbed to his injuries in a hospital. Initially, it appeared to be a hit and run case but footage of CCTV cameras installed at the site showed that an auto rickshaw intentionally swerved to the left to hit the ADJ thus, leading to a murder investigation. Seasoned criminals may be behind the act as several were denied bail in cases related to sexual harassment, diversion of scholarship fund, sale of fake lottery tickets, etc. by the ADJ. The police have already arrested the auto rickshaw driver and his accomplice, but they are yet to identify the real conspirators. As the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over the case, it is expected that the truth will be revealed shortly.
The hit and run murder of the ADJ points towards the deteriorating law and order situation in Dhanbad. High ranking government officials have always been targeted by the mafia in this coal belt. Coincidently, a top ranking police official was also murdered in the late eighties on the same road. After the killing of the police officer, there were plenty of promises to make Dhanbad a criminal-free city. But even after three decades, it appears that the law and order situation of the place remains unchanged and even now criminals can strike at will.
At the same time, the tragic incident brings to light the pathetic working conditions in which our trial court judges are compelled to work. It is argued that independence of the judiciary is the bedrock of the country’s legal system. But over the years virtually no efforts have been made either to improve the infrastructure of the courts or to provide adequate security to trial court judges. Herein the question must be asked as to why no security was provided to the ADJ knowing full well that he might be on the hit list of several criminals? The Jharkhand Government must come out with an explanation for such a dereliction of duty. Moreover, the unfortunate incident is a severe blow to the independence of the judiciary. The message from the criminals are loud and clear. Judges will have to face consequences if the judgement does not favour them.
Dhanbad is infamous for notorious criminal activities, with the illegal coal trade flourishing with every passing day. The local administration seems to be ineffective in enforcing the rule of law. As a result, criminals have been looting the natural wealth of the country for years. So, it is high time to end the jungle raj prevailing in the coal belt. The mafia should not be allowed to call the shots by eliminating those opposing them. To protect innocent lives both the Centre and the state government should launch an offensive against the criminals at the earliest.