Jharkhand State Bar Council to abstain from judicial work tomorrow; condemns murder of Judge Uttam Anand and a lawyer

In the wake of the murder of an advocate, Manoj Kumar Jha and the fatal "road accident" of Judge Uttam Anand (ADJ, Dhanbad), the Jharkhand State Bar Council has resolved to abstain from judicial work on July 30 to show solidarity..The Bar Council has also demanded that an expeditious investigation be conducted into the "road accident" that killed Judge Uttam Anand..On July 28, an emergency meeting was held by the Jharkhand State Bar Council, wherein serious concern was raised over the deteriorating law and order situation. ."The Council unanimously condemned the murder and expressed serious concern at the deteriorating law and order situation. It has been decided that on 30th July, 2021, the advocates of the entire state shall stay away from judicial works to show solidarity and demand that the culprits be subjected to the legal process, necessary measures be urgently taken for the improvement of law and order situation and a strict law for the protection of the Advocates be urgently implemented," read the resolution .Jharkhand Judge Uttam Anand out on a morning walk killed after vehicle hits him; CCTV footage suggests foul play .With regard to the road accident case of Judge Uttam Anand, the Council resolved to demand an investigation into the matter."Matter related to 'accident' leading to the sad demise of Uttam Anand, ADJ, Dhanbad was also discussed. The Council unanimously resolved to demand expeditious investigation into the matter.".The late Judge Uttam Anand was hit by an unidentified four wheeler approximately 500 meters away from Judge's Colony in Hirapur, where he resides..While it was initially believed to be an accident, CCTV footage of the incident suggested that the vehicle deliberately rammed into the judge as he was walking along the edge of the road.The Jharkhand High Court has already initiated a suo motu case in relation to the incident. .The Jharkhand Bar Council has also requested Bar Associations to submit a representation to the Deputy Commissioner to demand that the Advocates Protection Act be legislated and implemented at the earliest..BCI requests stakeholders to give inputs on Advocates Protection Bill before July 9 [Read Press Release].In related developments, Judge Uttam Anand's death has also been taken note of by the Supreme Court as well as the Jharkhand High Court. Chief Justice Ravi Ranjan of the Jharkhand High Court took suo motu cognizance of the matter this morning, when the SSP, Dhanbad was asked to appear before the Court. .[Breaking] Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court takes suo motu cognizance of death of Dhanbad district judge.In view of the High Court having taken up the issue, the Supreme Court declined to interfere in the matter. ."I spoke to the Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court. He has taken up the case and all officers are asked to be present. Now leave it there. If we involve at this stage the probe will be hindered," CJI Ramana said this morning..[Read Bar Council resolution]