THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, March 17: The Jharkhand High Court provided major relief to several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders by dismissing two high-profile cases. In separate rulings, the court quashed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a probe into the disproportionate assets of five former ministers from the Raghubar Das cabinet and also annulled an FIR against 18 BJP leaders, including former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi, related to a political protest.
PIL Against Five Former Ministers Dismissed
In 2020, social activist Pankaj Kumar Yadav filed a PIL in the Jharkhand High Court, alleging that five former ministers from the Raghubar Das government—Amar Kumar Bauri, Neera Yadav, Neelkanth Singh Munda, Louis Marandi, and Randhir Singh—had amassed assets disproportionate to their known sources of income. He demanded an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
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After years of delay, the case gained momentum in July 2023 when Chief Minister Hemant Soren approved an ACB probe into the allegations. The ACB’s preliminary inquiry (PE) reportedly found substance in Yadav’s claims, prompting the agency to issue notices to the accused ministers and the complainant.
High Court Ruling
However, the Jharkhand High Court dismissed the PIL, bringing relief to the former ministers. The court’s decision effectively halts any further legal proceedings in the case. Notably, Louis Marandi, one of the accused, is currently a Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MLA.
FIR Against Babulal Marandi, BJP Leaders Quashed
The second case dates back to August 2023, when the BJP organized the Yuva Akrosh March in Ranchi, a protest against the Hemant Soren-led government. The march, which took place at Morhabadi, turned violent, leading to clashes between BJP workers and the police.
Following the unrest, an FIR was registered at Lalpur police station (Case No. 203/2024), naming 18 prominent BJP leaders, including former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi, former minister Amar Kumar Bauri, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, Rajya Sabha MP Pradeep Verma, MPs Deepak Prakash and Dhullu Mahto, spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo as well as BJP Yuva Morcha president Shashank Raj and Ramesh Singh. Additionally, 10,000 unidentified individuals were booked under various charges, including rioting, inciting violence, violating government orders, obstructing officials, and causing harm.
High Court Ruling
The accused leaders challenged the FIR in the Jharkhand High Court, arguing that the charges were politically motivated. The case was heard by Justice Anil Kumar Choudhary, with advocate Prashant Pallav representing the petitioners. After reviewing the case, the court dismissed the FIR, providing legal relief to the BJP leaders.
Political Implications
These rulings come as a significant legal victory for BJP leaders in Jharkhand. The dismissal of the disproportionate assets case shields key figures from corruption allegations, while the quashing of the protest-related FIR prevents any legal hurdles for prominent opposition leaders.
