Jharkhand HC Demands Response on CBI Probe into Surya Hansda Encounter

The Jharkhand High Court has taken a firm stance regarding the alleged fake encounter of Surya Hansda, a political figure who previously contested elections on tickets from various parties. A petition seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the matter was heard on Tuesday. Following the hearing, the court issued a notice to Pankaj Mishra, a leader from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), and directed the state government to submit its response. The court has instructed the state government to file its reply within six weeks. The case involves allegations that the encounter of Surya Hansda, who has previously been a candidate for the BJP and other political parties, was staged. The High Court, presided over by Justice Ambuj Nath, heard the criminal writ petition and has set the next hearing for six weeks from now. Advocate Kumar Harsh represented the petitioner in court. Surya Hansda’s wife, Sushila Murmu, and mother, Neelmani Murmu, filed the criminal writ, asserting that the encounter was fake and demanding a thorough investigation. The petition also names several high-ranking officials, including the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Director-General of Police, and Superintendents of Police from Godda and Deoghar districts, as respondents. Neelmani Murmu’s plea states that her son, Surya Hansda, was arrested in Nawadih village of Mohanpur police station area in Deoghar prior to the incident. Recent First Information Reports (FIRs) filed against Surya Hansda at the Mirza Chowki police station in Sahibganj and the Lalmatia police station in Godda accuse him of involvement in several serious crimes. Surya Hansda was reported killed in a police encounter on August 11 in Godda, specifically in the Lalmatia Dhamani hill area under the Boarijore police station. His arrest reportedly took place on the evening of August 10.