CBI Probe Demanded for Surya Hansda’s Alleged Fake Encounter

In a significant development, the Jharkhand High Court is pushing for answers concerning the encounter death of Surya Hansda, a former election candidate for multiple political parties. The court heard a petition advocating for a CBI investigation into the circumstances of Hansda’s death. As a result, the court has issued a notice to prominent Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Pankaj Mishra and has mandated the state government to present its official response within a six-week timeframe. The bench, led by Justice Ambuj Nath, is scrutinizing the criminal writ petition that calls for a CBI probe into the encounter of Surya Hansda. Hansda, who had previously contested assembly elections under the banners of the BJP and other political outfits, is at the center of this legal scrutiny. The court will reconvene to hear the case after a period of six weeks. Representing the petitioner, advocate Kumar Harsh presented the case. The legal action was initiated by Surya Hansda’s wife, Sushila Murmu, and his mother, Neelmani Murmu, who contend that the encounter was fabricated and are demanding a comprehensive inquiry. Their petition implicates top state officials, including the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, DGP, and police chiefs of Godda and Deoghar. Neelmani Murmu’s statement in the petition highlights that her son was apprehended in Nawadih village, under the jurisdiction of Mohanpur police station in Deoghar, shortly before the encounter. Notably, recent FIRs have been lodged against Surya Hansda at the Lalmatia police station in Godda and the Mirza Chowki police station in Sahibganj, alleging his involvement in grave criminal activities. Surya Hansda was declared dead following an exchange of fire with police on August 11 in Godda. The reported location of the encounter was Lalmatia Dhamani hill, within the Boarijore police station limits. His apprehension had occurred the previous evening, August 10.