Image: PTI

Jharkand high court has sought a detailed report from the state government on the intelligence failure of the state government reflected in the inability to control the procession in Ranchi on June 10.

Hearing a PIL seeking NIA probe into the violence which took place in Ranchi during a protest march on June 10 against the controversial statement given by BJP leader Nupur Sharma, the Jharkhand HC, on June 17 (last Friday) has sought a detailed report from the state government. The state government has also been directed to submit the intelligence report obtained by it ahead of the incident. The matter will now be heard on June 24.

 “The Jharkhand High Court, after looking at the FIR and press release issued by Democratic Party of India (SDPI), has sought a detailed report on the matter,” said petitioner’s advocate Rajiv Kumar. SDPI, a political wing of the Popular Front of India (PFI), where it had said that how police opened fire on the children when there is a UPA Government in Jharkhand seeking action against the police and compensation to the family members of those who were killed in the incident, he added.

The court has also sought a reply from the Jharkhand government to explain how around 10,000 people assembled at a public place and the number of people who died in the incident as well as the rounds of bullets fired by the police.

According to petitioner, Kumar, the court also asked whether other measures like tear gas or water cannon were used by the police before resorting to firing or not. The court, however, said that it was not inclined to decide whether the posters of the riot suspects should be displayed in public places or not.

Meanwhile, the situation remained peaceful in Ranchi while Friday prayers were offered at different mosques in Ranchi under tight security, a week after the violence had occurred. Security forces were keeping a close vigil on sensitive areas through drones to avoid any untoward incident.

Jharkhand Police had been put on high alert following intelligence inputs that the protesters may take to the streets again last Friday after offering ‘Namaaz’ in different mosques in Ranchi. To avoid any untoward incident, the district administration has beefed up the security of religious places, besides putting barricades in at least 25 sensitive localities in the capital city.

In its detailed order, the Jharkand high court, dated June 17, 2022, has stated,

“This Court has heard the learned counsel for the parties and upon hearing, the directions are being passed upon the State to file affidavit replying the following questions:-

(i) The State of Jharkhand/Competent Authority is directed to apprise this Court as to whether the State Government was having any intelligence report about the movement of the processions of 8,000 to 10,000 people at the Mahatma Gandhi Road (Main Road at Ranchi).

“(ii) In case, there was intelligence report to that effect, then why the casualties have taken place and injury has been sustained by the Police Personnel including the Senior Superintendent of

Police as also the death has occurred, as per report.

“(iii) In case, there was no intelligence information, the State of Jharkhand/Competent Authority is directed to apprise this Court, why such a major failure on the part of the State was there

leading to disturbing the entire capital town of the State of Jharkhand where mob resorted to stone pelting and firing?

“(iv) The State of Jharkhand/Competent Authority is directed to apprise this Court, as to whether the initial means to restrain the gathering, i.e., lathi charge or use of water canon etc. hasbeen resorted to or not.

“(v) The State of Jharkhand/Competent Authority is directed to apprise this Court as to whether, the main accused persons named in the FIR have been apprehended or not and if yes, the details thereof, along with the parental and addresses be referred in the affidavit.

“(vi) The State of Jharkhand is also directed to apprise this Court about status of criminal records and the cases instituted against one Nawab Chisti of Mani Tola, P.S.-Doranda, Ranchi, who was running a ‘WHATSAPP’ group as also allegedly having closed connection with the Cabinet Minister & M.LA., as per the statement made at para-5 to the supplementary affidavit dated

June 16, 2022.

“(vii) The State of Jharkhand/Competent Authority is further directed to apprise this Court, if any FIR has been instituted, then whether investigation has commenced in the cases, registered

against said Nawab Chisti, if yes then what is the status of such investigation.If the investigation has been completed, let a copy of the final form be produced by appending it to the affidavit to be filed on behalf of the State.

“(viii) The State of Jharkhand/Competent Authority is to apprise this Court that under whose permission, the procession consisting of 8,000 to 10,000 people was allowed to be proceeded without any Police protection in the Main Road at Ranchi, known as Mahatma Gandhi Road.

If such permission was there, let the copy of such permission be appended to the affidavit to be filed. If there was no such permission, then how the District Administration as also the Police Administration had allowed such procession in the Main Road at Ranchi.

“(ix) The State of Jharkhand/Competent Authority is further directed to apprise this Court as to what is the status of the criminal case instituted, as has been appended under Annexure-8

to the writ petition. Let the progress of the criminal investigation be produced under the sealed cover.

“(x) Apart from the above queries, let para-wise reply to the averment made in the writ petition as also the supplementary affidavit dated June 16, 2022 be also filed.”

The entire order of the Jharkand HC may be read here:

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