Pioneer News Service
Ranchi
The Jharkhand High Court has issued a contempt notice to the state Director General of Police (DGP) for non-compliance with its directives, asking why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him. The court has directed the DGP to file an affidavit, with the next hearing scheduled for September 17.
The High Court questioned why CCTV cameras are yet to be installed across police stations in the state, directing the government to complete the installation within four weeks. Furthermore, the Chief Secretary and Home Secretary have been instructed to submit a compliance report by September 30.
Emphasizing the gravity of the matter, the court directed the Chief Secretary and Home Secretary to take its orders seriously and ensure the DGP does the same.
This directive was issued during a hearing by a division bench comprising Chief Justice MS Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar on a Suo Motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding the alleged brutal custodial torture of Tarun Mahto, a former assembly election candidate of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM).
Tarun Mahto had contested the 2024 assembly elections from Ichagarh as a JLKM candidate. On the night of November 19, 2025, Ichagarh police took him into custody, where he was allegedly subjected to third-degree torture. The High Court took suo motu cognizance of the incident following a letter written to the Chief Justice by Mahto’s wife. During previous hearings, the court had also summoned the Seraikela SP with documents and sought an explanation regarding the action taken against the medical officer who certified Mahto as “fit for custody.”
