Judge Uttam Anand Death: 'WhatsApp' To Be Impleaded As Party To The Proceedings Before Jharkhand High Court

The Jharkhand High Court has ordered that instant messaging service provider WhatsApp be impleaded in the case of 2021 Hit and Run case wherein Jharkhand Judge Uttam Anand had been killed.

The Bench of Chief Justice Dr. Ravi Ranjan and Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad ordered thus as CBI submitted that during the course of the investigation into the matter, certain information had been sought for from 'WhatsApp', but the said information was not being furnished.

Therefore, when the agency told the Court that non-furnishing the said information is coming in the way of further investigation in the matter to trace out the culpability, the Hgh Court observed thus:

"This Court has heard the aforesaid submission and is of the view that the 'WhatsApp' is required to be impleaded as a party to the proceeding which will be proper for the furtherance of the investigation. However, as of today, the detailed address for service of notice upon the Nodal Officer of 'WhatsApp' is not available, and therefore, adjournment for today has been sought for."

Considering the aforesaid, the matter has been listed for further hearing on April 1, 2022 (Today), so that, the proper address of 'WhatsApp' may be furnished for its impleadment in the present proceeding.

Further, the Court has also sought a further progress report to be placed before the Court on the next date of hearing. On that date, the Court ordered, the Investigating Officer of the case shall have to remain present before the Court through online mode.

"Let the progress report submitted today, be kept in a sealed cover and be returned to the Registrar General of this Court to keep it in safe custody," the Court ordered as it parted with the hearing.

Judge Uttam Anand died in July 2021 soon after being hit by a three-wheeled vehicle in broad daylight on Wednesday. As seen in a surfaced CCTV footage, Mr. Anand was out on a morning walk when a vehicle 'deliberately hit' him near the Magistrate Colony in Dhanbad.