The Supreme Court today requested the federal government to ensure judges’ protection, stating that the matter should not be left to the states alone. The court was hearing the case of a Jharkhand district judge who was assassinated last month. The Supreme Court, which handled the matter on its own, also issued a warning to states for failing to provide reports on the condition of judges’ security measures.
“States offer a pleasant image of the actions that are being made. Despite this, there have been several attacks against judicial personnel. ” “States have cited a lack of CCTV funding as an excuse. However, these will simply serve to document the crime. They can’t stop a criminal from assaulting, and they can’t stop threats.”
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The court also ordered states a week to provide a status report, warning a $15,000 punishment if they don’t. The Supreme Court said that if states do not file their reports within a week, chief secretaries must be present at the next hearing. On July 28, district judge Uttam Anand, 49, was murdered when a car slammed into him while out on his morning exercise. What was initially thought to be a hit-and-run turned out to be considerably more sinister, with CCTV evidence showing the car heading directly for the judge down a lonely stretch of road and purposefully hitting him.
Judge Anand has dealt with several mafia murder cases in Dhanbad and had turned down bail pleas from two gangsters. He was also hearing a murder case involving a close assistant to a member of parliament. “You are the best person to get this done,” the Supreme Court stated today in response to the centre’s assertion that state-specific cooperation is required for the protection of justices. When lower court judges complain of threats, Chief Justice of India NV Ramana claimed the CBI and other investigative agencies “do not respond.”
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