Ranchi Court Work Disrupted as Lawyers Protest Police Officer's Alleged Misconduct
Judicial activities in Ranchi faced significant disruption on Friday as members of the Ranchi District Bar Association (RDBA) abstained from court duties. The protest was organized to condemn the alleged misbehavior of Officer-in-Charge Mahesh Munda from the Scheduled Caste (SC)–Scheduled Tribe (ST) police station towards women advocates.
Impact on Court Proceedings
Sources confirmed that court proceedings, including critical witness depositions and scheduled case hearings, were severely affected due to the widespread protest. The absence of lawyers from courtrooms brought many legal processes to a standstill, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
March to Police Station and Allegations
RDBA members staged a organized march from their association building directly to the police station, vocally raising slogans against Officer Mahesh Munda. The protest was fueled by a formal complaint lodged by woman advocate Sabina Kujur with RDBA secretary Sanjay Kumar Vidrohi.
According to the complaint, Kujur and her colleague Soni Lakra visited the police station on Thursday to register a case. When the duty officer allegedly refused to file the FIR, they approached OC Mahesh Munda. The complaint details that Munda shouted at the advocates, used abusive language, and demanded they leave the premises immediately.
Kujur further alleged that the situation escalated when the OC caught her hand and forcibly pushed her out of the office with assistance from two women cleaners and a man. This physical altercation has intensified calls for accountability.
Bar Association's Demands
RDBA secretary Sanjay Kumar Vidrohi stated that the association has submitted detailed memorandums to multiple high-level offices, including:
- The Governor's Office
- The Chief Minister's Office
- The Ranchi Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP)
The memorandums outline four key demands:
- An independent and impartial inquiry into the incident
- Immediate suspension of OC Mahesh Munda as a prima facie accused
- Initiation of both departmental and criminal proceedings against the erring personnel
- Clear directions to ensure the safety and dignity of advocates while performing their duties
Police Officer's Defense
Officer-in-Charge Mahesh Munda has categorically denied all allegations against him. He explained that the FIR was not registered because the complainant had previously lodged false complaints. "The advocate tried to put pressure on me to register the FIR," Munda stated. "I asked a woman police personnel to escort her out and later spoke to her client. The CCTV footage outside my office can be examined for verification."
The conflicting accounts between the advocates and the police officer have created a contentious atmosphere, with the legal community demanding transparency and justice through proper investigative channels.
