Attack Inside Court Premises Using Chopper: Jharkhand HC Initiates Suo Moto PIL, Directs Registrar General To Chalk Out Security Plan

Recently, in the State of Jharkhand, an incident took place on Friday in the District Court Of East Singhbhum at Jamshedpur in which an intoxicated person carrying a chopper entered the Court's premises and gave a blow on the neck of the Court's staff causing serious injury to him. The assailant was apprehended on the spot and the injured was immediately taken to the hospital. The High Court conveined a special sitting on Saturday and initiated a suo moto PIL on the issue.

The Advocate General apprised the Jharkhand High Court that the condition of the injured is stable and he is out of danger. It was also informed that the assailant has been booked under Section 307 IPC including other offences under the same Act and the investigation of the case is already underway.

The Advocate General has also informed the Court that from the preliminary inquiry made by the police it appears that it was a standalone incident without having any larger conspiracy having widespread ramifications.

Expressing concern, the High Court taking note of this serious incident, said that there have been repeated incidents like these in the State of Jharkhand especially in the districts of East Singhbhum, Deoghar and Dhanbad. In furtherance to this, the High Court also reiterated and referred to the Apex Court's recent directions pronounced in the case of Pradyuman Bisht Vs. Union of India, W.P. (Crl.) No.99 of 2015, where in the Supreme Court has observed, "...if the temple of justice where people/litigants visit to get justice is not safe, then the faith in the judicial system will dwindle."

The Supreme Court had earlier in the case mentioned above, after discussing the several incidents including the incident that took place in the National Capital itself and also at Dhanbad, has issued series of directions.

Further, the High Court while taking note of the directions of the Supreme Court has directed the Registrar General to organise a meeting to chalk out the security plan for the Court premises.

"...we hereby direct that a meeting shall be convened on Monday (04.09.2023) by the Registrar General of the High Court with two Senior Judges of this High Court who shall be nominated by the Chief Justice and it shall be attended by the Additional Chief Secretary, Home, State of Jharkhand and the Director General of Police, Jharkhand, and such other senior administrative officials/police officials, as the concerned Officer deems appropriate to initiate this programme to chalk out a security plan," the Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjaya Kumar Mishra and Justice Ananda Sen directed.

Advocate General Rajiv Ranjan with Deputy Solicitor General Prashant Pallav appeared on behalf of the Respondents.

The Deputy Solicitor General submitted before the Court that the Union of India is prepared to offer any assistance required by the Court or the State Government to ensure security and a safe working environment for court premises across Jharkhand. Additionally, it was submitted that the Administrative Judge of Jamshedpur has arrived to assess the situation.

The Court directed the Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police of East Singhbhum to virtually provide an update on the case at the next Court date.

Accordingly, the Court listed the matter for today.

Cause Title: Court On Its Own Motion v. The State of Jharkhand (thr the Chief Secretary)

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