The Jharkhand High Court on Monday issued a notice to Chief Minister Hemant Soren in response to a bail petition filed by Rishikesh Kumar of Garhwa district who was arrested under provisions of SC ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 for allegedly making casteist slur on Chief Minister on social sites.
While passing the order the Court of Justice Rajesh Kumar said that as per the provisions of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act the court can’t pass any order without hearing the defendant. Hence in the light of the above the notice has been issued.
The petitioner requested the court to grant regular bail stating that there is no prima facie evidence against him. During virtual hearing the court had also directed Gadhwa SP to appear before the court.
Additional advocate general of Jharkhand Sachin Kumar who appeared on behalf of the government said that the case is under investigation and the complainant wants to continue this case.
A native of Purnanagar locality of Gadhwa district; the accused is son of a local ward councillor Rajkumar Prasad. He was arrested in June 2021 for allegedly using abusive words, and making caste remarks on the chief minister from his Twitter account. A complaint was lodged by a local JMM leader Amar Ram on June 4. The complainant alleged that the accused deliberately created social ill-will. Police booked him under sections of IPC and SC ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
In another development the court expressed displeasure over Jharkhand information commission remaining defunct from such a long time due to the lack of appointments. The court of Justice Rajesh Kumar directed chief secretary Sukhdeo Singh to file an affidavit in six week to inform the court of how long the information commission is defunct.