Dhanbad judge death: SC takes suo motu cognisance of case; says it's state's duty to ensure judicial officers' safety

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of case of death of a Dhanbad additional district judge, who died after an autorickshaw hit him on Wednesday morning. The court has sought status report of investigation into the matter from the Jharkhand government, through chief secretary and DGP, within a week.
The apex court said that the state chief secretary and the DGP should also give details of the law and order situation inside and outside the court premises in Jharkhand. The Jharkhand government was also asked to apprise the top court of the "nature of the incident" and steps taken by the state in order to protect law and order inside and outside court premises.
An SC bench of CJI NV Ramana and Justice Surya Kant said that it has come across several instances of attack on judicial officers and lawyers inside and outside the court premises and wants to address the larger issue of safety and security of judicial officers in the country.

It added that it is the duty of the states to protect the judicial officers and lawyers to make them function independently and fearlessly while endeavouring to dispense justice.
The court added that on the next date of hearing, it would consider issuing notice to all states.

The CJI Ramana-led bench also said that it would allow the Jharkhand high court to continue its monitoring of the alleged killing of the Dhanbad judge but reminded: "We want to be apprised of the investigation status."
CJI Ramana said that Supreme Court Bar Association president Vikas Singh on Thursday mentioned about the incident and said that a video of the same was doing rounds on social media.
The incident took place near the Magistrate Colony locality of Dhanbad, close to the judge's residence, on Wednesday morning.
He was taken to a hospital by locals, where he succumbed to injuries.