News Analysis India

Tag: Dhanbad

  • Lok Sabha Elections 2024: 61.41 pc voter turnout recorded till 5 pm in Jharkhand

    A voter turnout of 61.41 per cent was recorded till the end of polling in the four Lok Sabha constituencies in Jharkhand at 5 pm on Saturday, officials said. Voting, which commenced in Giridih, Dhanbad, Ranchi and Jamshedpur constituencies at 7am as part of the third phase of elections in the eastern state and sixth round nationwide, was peaceful.

    Giridih registered the highest polling at 64.75 per cent, followed by Jamshedpur (64.30 per cent), Dhanbad (58.90 per cent) and Ranchi (58.73 per cent).

    “Today, I exercised my right to vote at Shri Krishna Institute of Public Administration, Ranchi. I urge all voters to exercise their right to vote. Ensure your participation in this great festival of democracy,” Governor C P Radhakrishnan said in a post on X. Former India cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni cast his vote at a booth in JVM Shyamli School in Ranchi. Dhoni was accompanied by his wife Sakshi, father Pan Singh and mother Devaki Devi. AllUttar PradeshMaharashtraTamil NaduWest BengalBiharKarnatakaAndhra PradeshTelanganaKeralaMadhya PradeshRajasthanDelhiOther StatesKalpana Soren, wife of jailed former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, posted on X, “Today, I exercised my right to vote by participating in this great festival of elections for the massive victory of justice over injustice. An appeal to all of you is to reach your polling booth in large numbers and exercise your right to vote to protect democracy and the Constitution. If Hemant is there, then there is courage! Jharkhand will not bow down! INDIA will not stop!” Tata Steel Managing Director T V Narendran exercised his franchise with wife at a booth in Jamshedpur. Odisha Governor and former Jharkhand chief minister Raghubar Das also cast his vote in the steel city and said this election will take the country to newer heights. Twenty-seven candidates are in the fray from Ranchi, 25 each from Dhanbad and Jamshedpur, and 16 from Giridih.

    Around 82.16 lakh voters are eligible to cast their votes in these four constituencies, with Dhanbad having the highest number of electors at 22.85 lakh, and Giridih having the lowest at 18.64 lakh.

    Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) K Ravi Kumar said all 8,963 booths were being closely monitored. Of these, 186 are being managed by women and 22 by the youth. Additionally, there are 15 unique booths, showcasing the specialties of the respective areas.

    About 36,000 poll personnel have been deployed in this phase, Kumar said.

    In the Ranchi Lok Sabha seat, Congress’ Yashaswini Sahay, daughter of former Union minister Subodh Kant Sahay, is contesting against BJP MP Sanjay Seth.

    Dhanbad is witnessing a fight between BJP’s Baghmara MLA Dulu Mahato and Congress’ Anupama Singh, wife of the party’s Bermo legislator Kumar Jaimangal.

    In Jamshedpur, BJP MP Bidyut Baran Mahato is pitted against JMM’s Baharagora MLA Samir Mohanty.

    In Giridih, AJSU Party’s Chandra Prakash Chaudhary is up against JMM’s Tundi MLA Mathura Mahato. A student leader, Jairam Mahato, has added a twist to the contest by challenging candidates of both the INDIA bloc and the NDA.

  • Jharkhand HC takes suo motu cognizance of high-rise fire which left 14 dead

    Express News Service

    RANCHI: The Jharkhand High Court on Wednesday took suo-moto cognizance into the massive fire incident which engulfed a multi-storied residential building at Dhanbad on Tuesday claiming 14 lives, including 10 women and three children.

    Nearly two dozen people also received serious burn injuries after a major fire broke out on the second floor of ‘Ashirwad Tower’ in the Joraphatak area of Dhanbad, around 160 km from the state capital Ranchi. They have been admitted to Shaheed Nirmal Mahto Medical College and Hospital (SNMMCH) in Dhanbad.

    “The Jharkhand High Court has taken suo-moto cognizance into the incident of fire which took place in Dhanbad on Tuesday and the matter will be heard on Thursday,” said Piyush Chitresh, junior counsel at the office of Advocate General.

    Meanwhile, Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced Rs 4 lakh compensation for the family members of those who lost their near and dear ones in the fire incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives in the devastating fire and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next-of-kin of the deceased. PM Modi also announced that an amount of Rs 50,000 each has also been sanctioned for the injured in the incident.

    Firefighters try to douse a fire that broke out at, multi-storey building in Dhanbad. (Photo | PTI)

    According to officials, the fire broke out at around 6 pm at the Ashirwad Tower apartment under the Bank More police station jurisdiction, which was brought under control after a four-hour operation. As many as 40 fire tenders were roped in to dodge the fire, they said.

    An official communiqué from the district administration stated that the fire started on the third floor.

    Fourteen people died in the incident, while the injured people have been rescued and hospitalized, it said.“A total of 14 deaths have been confirmed so far, including 10 women, three children and a male. Those who got injured are out of danger, said,” Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Singh. He, however, refused to comment on the reason behind the fire as the investigation was still on.

    The Deputy Commissioner has issued an investigation into the matter by forming a committee.

    Locals revealed that the fire apparently was caused due to an earthen lamp (diya) while performing a ritual on the third floor, which engulfed the flat located just above it on the fourth floor, killing 14 persons of the same family. People had assembled there to attend a marriage ceremony.

    Some were charred to death, while many died of suffocation, sources claimed.

    Notably, barring minor burn injuries, none of the people died in the flat on the third floor where the fire started.

    RANCHI: The Jharkhand High Court on Wednesday took suo-moto cognizance into the massive fire incident which engulfed a multi-storied residential building at Dhanbad on Tuesday claiming 14 lives, including 10 women and three children.

    Nearly two dozen people also received serious burn injuries after a major fire broke out on the second floor of ‘Ashirwad Tower’ in the Joraphatak area of Dhanbad, around 160 km from the state capital Ranchi. They have been admitted to Shaheed Nirmal Mahto Medical College and Hospital (SNMMCH) in Dhanbad.

    “The Jharkhand High Court has taken suo-moto cognizance into the incident of fire which took place in Dhanbad on Tuesday and the matter will be heard on Thursday,” said Piyush Chitresh, junior counsel at the office of Advocate General.

    Meanwhile, Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced Rs 4 lakh compensation for the family members of those who lost their near and dear ones in the fire incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives in the devastating fire and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next-of-kin of the deceased. PM Modi also announced that an amount of Rs 50,000 each has also been sanctioned for the injured in the incident.

    Firefighters try to douse a fire that broke out at, multi-storey building in Dhanbad. (Photo | PTI)

    According to officials, the fire broke out at around 6 pm at the Ashirwad Tower apartment under the Bank More police station jurisdiction, which was brought under control after a four-hour operation. As many as 40 fire tenders were roped in to dodge the fire, they said.

    An official communiqué from the district administration stated that the fire started on the third floor.

    Fourteen people died in the incident, while the injured people have been rescued and hospitalized, it said.
    “A total of 14 deaths have been confirmed so far, including 10 women, three children and a male. Those who got injured are out of danger, said,” Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Singh. He, however, refused to comment on the reason behind the fire as the investigation was still on.

    The Deputy Commissioner has issued an investigation into the matter by forming a committee.

    Locals revealed that the fire apparently was caused due to an earthen lamp (diya) while performing a ritual on the third floor, which engulfed the flat located just above it on the fourth floor, killing 14 persons of the same family. People had assembled there to attend a marriage ceremony.

    Some were charred to death, while many died of suffocation, sources claimed.

    Notably, barring minor burn injuries, none of the people died in the flat on the third floor where the fire started.

  • CBI files chargesheet in Dhanbad judge murder case

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The CBI on Wednesday filed a chargesheet against two accused in the alleged murder of Dhanbad Judge Uttam Anand, who was mowed down by an auto-rickshaw on July 28, officials said.

    The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed it before a special court against auto-rickshaw driver Lakhan Verma and his accomplice Rahul Verma under Indian Penal Code sections related to murder (302) and destruction of evidence (201) besides common intention (34), they said.

    The central agency has kept the probe open in the case, the officials said.

    Lakhan Verma and Rahul Verma are both in judicial custody, they said, adding that their narco-analysis has been conducted by the CBI.

    The 49-year-old judge was allegedly mowed down by a heavy auto-rickshaw while he was jogging on July 28 morning in Dhanbad.

    CCTV camera footage showed that the judge was jogging on one side of a fairly wide road at Randhir Verma Chowk in Dhanbad when the auto-rickshaw veered towards him, hit him from behind and fled the scene, killing him.

    The case was handed over to the CBI by the Jharkhand government.

    The CBI had dispatched a 20-member team under its ace investigator VK Shukla to probe the case.

    Shukla was recently awarded by the Union Home Ministry for being among the best investigators.

    The agency had taken over two more FIRs related to theft of mobile phones and the auto-rickshaw used in the crime from the Jharkhand Police in order to unravel the alleged conspiracy behind the killing of the judge, they said.

  • Dhanbad hit-and-run: Delay in resolving case lowering morale of judges, Jharkhand HC tells CBI

    Express News Service

    RANCHI: Expressing disappointment over the progress report filed in the alleged murder of Additional District and Session Judge Uttam Anand, the Jharkhand High Court on Thursday asked the CBI Joint Director to expedite the investigations as the delay in resolving the case has been slackening the morale of judicial officers. During the last hearing, the division bench of Chief Justice Dr Ravi Ranjan and Justice SN Prasad had directed the CBI Zonal Director to be present during the hearing on September 23.

    CCTV footage showing an auto-rickshaw intentionally hitting the judge from behind on a deserted road on July 28 had raised doubts over his death. The incident took place near Golf Ground less than 500 metres from his house at Judge Colony of Hirapur, when he was out for his daily morning walk. Hours after the CCTV footage surfaced indicating that the incident was ‘intentional’ rather than an ‘accident’, the Jharkhand High Court took suo motu cognisance into the matter calling the incident a direct attack on the judiciary.

    ALSO READ: Dhanbad judge hit-and-run case: CBI increases bounty to Rs 10 lakh for tip-off

    “Expressing displeasure over the status report submitted by the CBI in the Dhanbad hit-and-run case, the court observed that the delay in resolving the case has slackened the morale of judicial officers and if the matter was not resolved soon, it would not be good for the judicial system,” said Jharkhand High Court Advocate Association Treasurer, Dheeraj Kumar. The court also reiterated that this is the first ever incident where a judicial officer has been killed in broad daylight, he added.

    Before that, the CBI Joint Director appeared before the court virtually and informed about the progress in the investigation. The court was told that the CBI team is working on the case and all suspects are being interrogated thoroughly. The CBI also informed the court that it is trying to find out whether the judge was hit by the auto-rickshaw intentionally, or it was an accident. All aspects are being taken into consideration, he said.

    During the last hearing, the Jharkhand High Court had observed that the CBI has been filing routine reports, which had nothing new. It had also said that the investigation has not reached beyond the arrest of two persons in the case, which is really unfortunate and directed the CBI Zonal Director to be present virtually during the hearing next time.

  • Dhanbad judge hit-and-run case: CBI increases bounty to Rs 10 lakh for tip-off

    Express News Service

    RANCHI: Clueless over the alleged murder of Additional District and Sessions Judge Uttam Anand, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has increased the bounty from Rs 5 lakh to 10 lakh for providing worthwhile information related to the case. Earlier on August 15, the CBI had announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh for providing any kind of information related to the alleged murder case.

    CBI officials investigating the case said posters announcing that the reward amount has been increased to Rs 10 lakh were put up all over Dhanbad.

    According to the posters, “If any person has any kind of knowledge or information of importance related to his murder, he/she may kindly provide it to Vijay Kumar Shukla, Superintendent of Police (I/C), Investigation Officer, CBI, New Delhi, Camp – Dhanbad, on the phone numbers given below. Cash reward of Rs 10 lakh will be given to the person furnishing worthwhile information related to the crime.” The name of the informant will be kept secret, it added.

    CCTV footage showing an auto-rickshaw intentionally hitting judge Uttam Anand from behind on a deserted road has raised doubts over his death while he was on his morning walk on July 28. The incident took place near Golf Ground less than 500 metres from his house at Judge Colony in Hirapur.

    The autopsy report revealed that the victim had several injuries on his head, chest and back. “All the injuries, caused by hard and blunt substance, took place before the death. Death of the deceased was caused due to head injury before 6-18 hours of the post-mortem,” stated the autopsy report.

    The case was referred to the CBI on the recommendations of Chief Minister Hemant Soren following which a team from the agency has been camping in Dhanbad to investigate the matter.

  • Dhanbad judge death: CBI conducts forensic psychology tests on two accused

    By PTI

    DHANBAD: Struggling to get a breakthrough in the Dhanbad judge’s death case, the CBI on Tuesday carried out forensic psychology tests on two persons arrested so far, a police officer said.

    CCTV footages had showed that Uttam Anand, additional district and sessions judge of Dhanbad court, was jogging on one side of a fairly wide road at Randhir Verma Chowk early on July 28 when a heavy auto-rickshaw veered towards him, hit him from behind and fled the scene.

    Locals took him to a nearby hospital, where the doctors declared him dead on arrival.

    Auto driver Lakhan Verma and his assistant Rahul Verma were subsequently arrested.

    The CBI, which took over the case from the Jharkhand Police, has been given the custody of the arrested duo for five days by a local court.

    With the five-day remand of the two accused ending on Tuesday, the central probe agency decided to use advanced technology to find out the truth, the police officer, who did not wish to be named, said.

    Meanwhile, several officials confirmed that the CBI has received permission to conduct narco tests on the two accused, but the agency hasn’t been able to do it so far due to lack of facilities in Dhanbad.

    Earlier in the day, probe agency officials inspected the accident site at Randhir Verma Chowk, the third time in four days.

    Last weekend, the CBI, along with its Central Forensic Scientific Lab (CFSL) team, had twice recreated the scene and circumstances that led to the judge’s death.

    The three-wheeler used in the incident and the two accused were also taken to the spot for the exercise.

  • CBI takes over probe into Dhanbad judge’s death in hit-and-run incident

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The CBI has taken over the investigation into the death of Dhanbad judge Uttam Anand who was mowed down by a vehicle while on morning jog on July 28, officials said on Wednesday. They said the agency has received the Jharkhand government’s request, routed through the Centre, to investigate the matter.

    Sources said according to the laid down procedure, the agency has taken over the Dhanbad Police FIR in the matter. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on last Saturday had decided to hand over the probe into the hit-and-run case of the 49-year-old Dhanbad judge to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

    CCTV footage showed that the judge was jogging on one side of a fairly wide road at Randhir Verma Chowk early when a heavy auto-rickshaw veered towards him, hit him from behind and fled.

  • Dhanbad hit and run case: Autopsy report suggests judge died of head injury

    Express News Service
    RANCHI: Amid the efforts made by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to get into the details of the case, the autopsy report to which ‘The New Indian Express’ has access to, indicated that the death of the Dhanbad additional district and Session Judge Uttam Anand was due to head injury. Meanwhile, the SIT,headed by ADG (Operations) Sanjay Anand Latkar, held a marathon meeting for the fourth consecutive day on Monday also to review the recent developments.

    Notably, a CCTV footage showing an auto-rickshaw intentionally hitting Judge Uttam Anand from behind on a deserted road has raised doubts over his death while he was on his morning walk on Thursday.The incident took place near Golf Ground less than 500 meter from his house at Judge Colony of Hirapur.

    According to the post mortem report, the victim had several injuries on its head, chest and back. “All the injuries, caused by hard and blunt substance, took place before death. Death of the deceased was caused due to head injury before 6-18 hours of the post-mortem,” stated the autopsy report.

    It also said that there were several injuries on the victim’s chest, back and head.

    Meanwhile, ADG Sanjay Anand Latkar who is heading the SIT and camping in Dhanbad for the last four days said that the two accused persons arrested in the case were sent to jail on Monday after completion of their remand period.

    “Reviewing the developments taking place in the investigations, I have given directions to the different teams which are working on the case. Police have also filed a petition before the Court seeking permission for narco-test of the two accused persons,” said the ADG.

    Meanwhile, after the term of police remanded complete on Monday, the two accused persons– Lakhan Verma and Rahul Verma were sent to jail, he added.

    Latkar assured that all scientific techniques and methods are being used in investigating the case.

    “We will make use of all scientific techniques for investigation as per the requirement. We are working on it professionally and will be taking all aspects into consideration to get into the details of the case” Latkar said.

    Later in the evening, family members of the accused auto-rickshaw driver were also interrogated by the SIT. Sources in the police department, however, claimed that since the auto-driver an his aide were high on a cocktail of the medicine N10 or Nitrosun 10 — a drug prescribed for patients of epilepsy, insomnia and anxiety disorders — and illicit liquor, it cannot be ruled out that entire incident of this hit-and-run casemight be an unfortunate “road accident.” Anything could be said only after investigation gets completed in the case, it said.

    Earlier on Sunday, the two police officials, Office in Charge (OC) of Pathardih Police Station Umesh Manjhi and Sub-Inspector Adarsh Kumar were suspended for being negligent in discharging their duties. Manjhi was suspended for not taking action immediately after the complaint related to auto theft was brought to his notice while Kumar was suspended for making the CCTV footage viral on social media.

  • Dhanbad hit and run case: SIT raids 53 hotels, 243 suspects taken into custody

    Express News Service
    RANCHI: Following the high profile Dhanbad hit and run case that left the Additional District and Session Judge Uttam Anand dead on Thursday, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) raided as many as 53 hotels at different locations and took 243 suspects into custody for interrogation.

    According to Dhanbad SSP Sanjiv Kuma said 243 suspected persons 17 were arrested in the case. In addition, more than 250 auto-rickshaws have been seized after their owners could not produce their documents to the police.

    Meanwhile, Office in Charge (OC) of Pathardih Police Station Umesh Manjhi and Sub-Inspector Adarsh Kumar were suspended for being negligent in discharging their duties.

    “Umesh Manjhi was suspended for not taking any action immediately after the complaint related to auto theft was brought to his notice while Adarsh Kumar was suspended for making the CCTV footage, related to the case, viral on social media,” said SSP Sanjiv Kumar.

    The police are also interrogating some of the criminals who are lodged in Dhabad jail, he added.

    Meanwhile, the SIT under ADG (Operations) Sanjay Anand Latkar, which is camping in Dhanbad for the last three days, also visited the post of occurrence and tried to re-create the scene to get some clues how the crime was executed. Latkar on Sunday also kept on taking updates from all the 25 teams who had beengiven different tasks on Saturday.

    The SIT includes 6 IPS officers, 6 DSPs and 25 officers in charge of different police stations. Notably, a CCTV footage showing an auto-rickshaw intentionally hitting Additional District and Session Judge of Dhanbad, from behind on a deserted road has raised doubts over his death while he was on his morning walk schedule. The incident took place near Golf Ground less than 500 meter from his house at Judge Colony of Hirapur, when he was out for his daily morning walk during which an unidentified four-wheeler hit him.

    Earlier on Thursday, the Jharkhand High Court took suo-motto cognizance on the matter calling it a direct attack on judiciary. The shocking incident was also brought to the notice of the court on Thursday morning by Supreme Court Bar Association President Vikas Singh, who demanded a CBI inquiry into the matter.

    On Friday, the Supreme Court also took suo-moto cognizance seeking detailed reports from the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police.

  • International footballer forced to work as daily wage labourer in brick kiln 

    Express News Service
    RANCHI: Forced to take up the job of a daily wage labourer in a brick kiln after other family members lost their livelihood in the lockdown, international footballer Sangeeta Soren of Dhanbad seeks government support to make her dreams true. 

    However, Sangeeta, 20, ensures she has time for practising football at the nearby stadium every morning.

    Sangeeta grew up playing football along with the boys in her village Bansmudi near Dhanbad and later joined girl’s football club in Dhanbad to hone her skills. Within two years, she was selected for International Football tournament in Bhutan.

    “I used to see boys playing football in my village from outside the ground and wait for the ball to come out so that I could kick it for once. Gradually, looking at my interest in football, boys allowed me to play with them. Considering at my dedication and abilities, some of the senior players in my villagetook me to women’s football club in 2016,” said Sangeeta. That was a turning point in her life.

    “Within a year, I went for the trail for state team for which I got selected and played the junior Women’s National tournament for two consecutive years. Later, while playing under-17 national tournament in Goa, I got selected for Asian Youth Uner-17 Football Tournament in Bhutan in 2018,” said Sangeeta.

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    Everything was fine and she was working hard with full dedication chasing her passion, but all of a sudden this pandemic disturbed the financial condition of her family and she was forced her to take up the job of a daily wage labourer, she added.

    “My father partially lost his eye-sight due to old age and my brother was not getting work due to the lockdown. So, I had no choice but to start working to support my family. Therefore, I decided to work as a daily wage labourer at a local brick kiln a few weeks back,” said Sangeeta. Before this, she never had to think about earning money as both her father and brother were earning enough to support the family, she added.

    “Even though it is difficult, I did not lose hope and make it sure to practise every day at the nearby stadium in Dhanbad as football is my passion and I want to live it till my last breathe,” said Sangeeta. During the last lockdown, the local administration had helped her in terms of money, but that could not be the solution, she added.

    “In order to continue practice, I need to concentrate on my game. If I keep on thinking about meeting the two ends, it will be difficult to excel in this field. The state government must think about it so that I could devote all my time in games,” said Sangeeta.

    Secretary of Dhanbad District Football Association, while asserting that Sageeta is going through a financial crisis, said that government must come forward to support such deserving players.

    “Sangeeta is really a hardworking and dedicated player who really needs some kind of financial stability to continue her game. In order to promote sports in the state, the government must come forward in their support,” said Dhanbad District Football Association Secretary MD Fayyaz Ahmend. 

    Such young talents should get appointments in State police force to contribute for the state and country as well, he added.