PIL sought investigation of a mob lynching, fresh FIR, compensation and witness protection with trial transfer. Investigation had been handed to CID, charges framed against 13 accused and trial underway with witnesses examined, so the court disposed of the petition as having achieved its purpose.
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2025:JHHC:27755-DB
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI
W.P.(PIL) No. 45 of 2022
Pankaj Kumar Yadav, son of Raj Kishore Pd. Yadav, resident of Gayatri Nagar, Sudna, P.O. & P.S.- Sudna, Daltonganj, DistrictPalamau … … Petitioner
… … Petitioner
Versus
CORAM: HON’BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH SHANKAR
For the Petitioner : Mr. Rajeev Kumar, Advocate For the Respondents : Mr. Ratnesh Kumar, S.C. (L&C)-I Mr. Rakesh Kumar Sahi, AC to S.C. (L&C)-I
Order No. 08
The instant writ petition has been filed for issuance of direction upon the respondents to investigate the mob lynching of Sanju Pradhan, resident of Village- Chhapridipa, who was brutally lynched by the villagers at the instance of the villagers of Bumbulkera as well as to lodge a fresh FIR naming the accused persons whose identity is not questionable. Further prayer has been made to pay compensation to the victim family as per the provisions of the Jharkhand (Prevention of Mob Violence and Mob Lynching) Bill, 2021 and also to provide protection to the witnesses after transferring the trial of the case from Simdega to Ranchi.
2. The respondents have filed counter affidavit which reveals that after the initial investigation, investigation of the
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2025:JHHC:27755-DB
case was handed over to the CID Wing of the State Government headed by an officer of the rank of the Deputy Superintendent of Police. Thereafter, charges have now been framed against 13 accused persons on 19.05.2022 under Sections 147, 148, 149, 364/34, 302/34 and 201/34 of the Indian Penal Code against all 13 named accused persons. Not only this, thereafter the trial has also commenced and out of 25 charge-sheeted witnesses, 10 witnesses have already been examined.
3. Since, the competent Court is now already seized of the matter, this instant petition has achieved its purpose and the same is accordingly disposed of.
(Tarlok Singh Chauhan, C.J.)
(Rajesh Shankar, J.)
Manish/Ritesh
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2 issues framed by the court
Whether directions were needed for investigation of a mob lynching and fresh FIR against identified accused.
Whether compensation under the Jharkhand (Prevention of Mob Violence and Mob Lynching) Bill, 2021 and witness protection with trial transfer to Ranchi should be granted.
6 provisions across 1 enactments
Pankaj Kumar Yadav
The State of Jharkhand
The Home Secretary, Department of Home, Government of Jharkhand, Ranchi
The Director General of Police, Jharkhand, Ranchi
The Senior Superintendent of Police, Ranchi
The Officer-in-charge, Kolabira, District-Simdega
Tarlok Singh Chauhan
Rajesh Shankar
As recorded by the court registry
Judgements on the same questions, provisions and authorities, from every court