Ranchi: Jharkhand Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi has returned a 13-year-old bulletproof vehicle allotted to him, citing frequent breakdowns and concerns over the safety of the security arrangements provided to him. He has also sought a written explanation from Chief Minister Hemant Soren over the government’s alleged failure to address repeated complaints about the condition of security vehicles.
In a letter to Soren, Marandi has asked the Chief Minister to respond within seven days and clarify what action has been taken on his earlier complaints. He said the bulletproof Tata Safari provided to him frequently develops mechanical problems during journeys, despite being used for tours across the state.
Raising questions about the safety of the vehicle, Marandi asked whether the Chief Minister himself would be willing to travel in a vehicle in such a poor condition. He also requested Soren to instruct the Home Department to formally take possession of the returned SUV and issue an acknowledgement to his office.
Marandi recalled that he had previously written to the Chief Minister on March 21, 2026, highlighting the condition of his security vehicle. However, he alleged that no meaningful action had been taken despite the complaint.
He also questioned the government’s vehicle allocation policy, pointing out that the Home Department had purchased 17 bulletproof vehicles in December 2024. Of these, three were allotted to the Chief Minister and two to the Raj Bhavan, while the remaining 12 were kept in the headquarters reserve for VIP movements.
Despite this purchase, Marandi claimed that former Chief Ministers were still being provided with vehicles that were between 10 and 12 years old.
His concerns extend beyond the bulletproof SUV. Marandi said three Maruti Gypsy vehicles used by security personnel deployed for his protection were also in extremely poor condition, having reportedly covered more than four lakh kilometres.
According to him, his personal secretary had submitted a written complaint to the Home Secretary, while the Director General of Police and the Inspector General of Police (Provision) had also been repeatedly informed. However, he alleged that these efforts had failed to produce any concrete response.
Marandi further claimed that officials had informally indicated the existence of instructions from “above” preventing the replacement of the vehicles. He has now asked the Chief Minister to identify who issued such instructions and explain the reasons behind the decision.
The Leader of Opposition has also demanded a comprehensive technical inspection of vehicles assigned for the security of all former Chief Ministers, with uniform standards for assessing their roadworthiness and safety. He has sought details of the complaints received and the action taken by the government.
In his letter, Marandi also highlighted similar concerns raised by former Chief Minister Arjun Munda. He said Munda’s office had written six letters to the authorities between July 2024 and June 2026, drawing attention to the poor condition of his security vehicles, but no effective action followed.
The issue has gained further significance following an accident involving a vehicle in Munda’s security convoy near Chowka on November 6.
Marandi’s decision to return his bulletproof SUV has brought renewed attention to questions surrounding the maintenance, replacement and safety standards of vehicles assigned to protect Jharkhand’s former Chief Ministers and other high-profile public representatives. The state government’s response to his seven-day demand is now awaited.
-IANS