Ranchi – The Jharkhand High Court on Friday expressed frustration over the state government’s failure to submit its reply in a criminal writ petition calling for a CBI probe into the alleged staged killing of tribal leader Surya Hansda in Godda district.
A bench headed by Justice Ambuj Nath granted the government one final week to respond, noting that the delay was unacceptable given the serious nature of the case. Advocate Kumar Harsh appeared on behalf of the petitioner.
The petitioners, Surya Hansda’s wife Sushila Murmu and mother Neelmuni Murmu, have alleged that the police encounter was pre-planned and that Surya was deliberately killed. They sought intervention from an independent investigating agency, preferably the CBI, to ensure a fair probe.
The petition contends that the Godda police falsely depicted Surya’s death as an encounter, while the family insists it was a targeted operation. It argues that only a central agency can ascertain the truth and uphold justice.
Police have stated that Surya, who had over 20 criminal cases pending against him, was killed near Dhamni Pahad under Boarijore police station jurisdiction on August 11. The police claimed firearms were recovered and alleged that Surya tried to seize a weapon from an officer, triggering retaliatory firing.
The NCST has also expressed doubts regarding the encounter, calling the situation suspicious, and recommended a CBI investigation after its team visited the site and recorded statements from all parties involved.
With inputs from IANS