New Delhi, October 1, 2024 – The Supreme Court of India has taken a stern stance against what it described as a “brazen act” by Jharkhand Police officers, issuing contempt notices for their failure to adhere to an interim order related to a contentious landlord-tenant dispute in Ranchi. The court’s action came in response to the filing of a charge sheet despite an explicit directive to halt further legal actions in the case.
The dispute originated from an FIR lodged by the wife of a then-Director General of Police (DGP) against her landlords, accusing them of forcible entry, property damage, and assault. The landlords, represented by noted advocate Shadab Eqbal from Ranchi, Jharkhand, countered these allegations by claiming the tenant was in arrears of rent and that they had lawfully initiated eviction proceedings.
Justice Abhay Oka, articulating the bench’s sentiments, criticized the police’s actions as “wilful disobedience” of the court’s August 18, 2023, order, which barred any further steps in connection with the FIR. Despite this, a charge sheet was filed on September 30, 2023, by police officers Dayanand Kumar and Tarkeshwar Prasad Kesari, with the justification provided by Deputy Superintendent of Police, Deepak Kumar.
The Supreme Court’s critique extended to another instance of contempt where, despite a High Court order from April 2017, a proclamation against the tenant was published in April 2023, further highlighting the disregard for judicial directives.
Contempt notices have been issued to Deepak Kumar, Dayanand Kumar, and Tarkeshwar Prasad Kesari, with a directive for personal appearance in court on November 4, 2024. This action underscores the judiciary’s intolerance towards any breach of its orders, particularly when involving senior police officials.
The case, known as Satish Kumar Ravi v. State of Jharkhand & Anr, has drawn attention to the broader implications of police conduct in legal disputes involving influential figures, prompting discussions on accountability and the rule of law.
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