Chief Justice’s intervention sought after HC stays probe in Ranchi hit-and-run case

By A Representative

The Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha has appealed to the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court seeking intervention after a single-judge bench stayed the ongoing police investigation in a hit-and-run case involving High Court lawyer Manoj Tandon.

On February 19, 2026, the High Court stayed the investigation into Doranda P.S. Case No. 51/2026 and added the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Central Government as parties to the matter. The order came after Tandon filed a writ petition (W.P.(Cr.) Filing No. 4238 of 2026) seeking transfer of the probe to the CBI. The case was heard the same afternoon by a bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kumar Dwivedi.

The matter relates to a road accident that took place on February 17 in Ranchi’s Doranda area. According to the FIR filed by the complainant, Mawaz Khan, his motorcycle was allegedly hit by a Mercedes car driven by Tandon, after which the car reportedly moved ahead with the biker hanging on the bonnet. A video of the incident circulated widely on social media. Both parties have lodged FIRs at Doranda police station.

In an open letter addressed to the Chief Justice, the Mahasabha has raised concerns over what it termed as an attempt to “communalise” the case. The organisation said that the petition filed by Tandon referred to Khan’s alleged social media posts, claiming they reflected support for the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), and suggested that the matter be investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

However, the Mahasabha stated that Khan’s Instagram profile contains a slogan expressing support for Palestine, which it described as protected under the constitutional right to freedom of expression and consistent with India’s stated international position. The petition also alleged that the investigation would be biased as it had been assigned to a police officer from a “particular community,” which the Mahasabha said amounted to questioning the officer’s impartiality on religious grounds.

The organisation has urged the Chief Justice to examine whether the Court should entertain a petition making serious allegations based on religion or socio-political beliefs without concrete evidence. It also questioned whether procedural norms were fully adhered to, including whether the roster was properly followed, whether a certified copy of the FIR was annexed to the petition, and whether the complainant was given an opportunity to present his version during the hearing.

The Mahasabha further said the case raises broader concerns about equal access to justice in Jharkhand. It pointed to the large number of undertrial prisoners awaiting hearings in state jails, contrasting this with the swift listing and interim relief granted in the present matter.

Appealing for intervention, the organisation stated that the investigation and adjudication of a hit-and-run case must be guided solely by constitutional principles and evidence, and not by the religion, social media views, or socio-economic status of the parties involved.

“Justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done,” the Mahasabha said in its appeal.

For further information, the organisation has shared contact details of its representatives, including Afzal Anees, Elina Horo, Manthan, P M Tony, Praveer Peter and Siraj Dutta.

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