Jharkhand HC Orders No Coercive Measures Against BJP Leaders in Secretariat March Case

The Jharkhand High Court has issued an order directing that no coercive measures be taken against BJP leaders in connection with a case filed against them regarding their march to the secretariat on April 11, 2023.

A case was lodged at Dhurwa police station in Ranchi against Jharkhand BJP leaders, including the party’s state chief Babulal Marandi, Union minister Arjun Munda, Godda MP Nishikant Dubey, Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth, and former chief minister Raghubar Das, for purportedly breaching prohibitory orders enforced at the secretariat.

During the proceedings, the high court entertained a petition on this matter. Following the hearing, the court instructed the government to submit an affidavit. The case is scheduled for further hearing on May 8.

The incident involved BJP workers clashing with the police while advancing towards the secretariat for a pre-announced gherao programme. To prevent their advancement towards the secretariat, where prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPc were in place, the police resorted to tear gas shells, water cannons, and lathi-charging the protestors.

An FIR was lodged against 41 BJP leaders and workers, including Union minister Arjun Munda and former chief ministers Raghubar Das and Babulal Marandi, for flouting the prohibitory orders.