The Jharkhand High Court on Monday expressed serious notes about the alleged illegal detention of a matriculation student in Chatra district and questioned the role of police in the matter. The court raised concerns over the claims that the student was kept in illegal custody for almost 10 days and he was not produced before a magistrate as is required by law.
The Superintendent of Police appeared in person before a division bench, which was composed of Justices Sujit Narayan Prasad and Arun Kumar Rai, in a habeas corpus petition, which was filed by Akhtari Khatun, the mother of the students.
The FoEJ Media learned that the student was interrogated on 27.01.2026, and in the evening he was handed over to his near relative, i.e., maternal uncle, and again he was picked up on 30.01.2026 and left with his maternal uncle on 31.01.2026 in the morning, after following the due procedure.
The police allegedly kept the student at the police station without any lawful reason, in violation of due process.
The bench asked the Chatra Superintendent of Police, Sumit Agarwal, to present a detailed explanation about the actions taken by the police and the details of the circumstances in which the student was allegedly detained. It is also noted that the court also questioned why the student was not produced before a magistrate within the required time and what actions were taken against the officials responsible for any procedural lapses.
The court also noted that compliance with due process is a fundamental right to safeguard citizens’ rights; therefore, the police must build a positive image among the public.
The court also posed a question as to whether, on the basis of imputation and input of the technical team of Chatra District Police, the student was lifted from his house for interrogation and whether the same has been entered into the case diary, which is required to be maintained in connection with the investigation of the concerned case or not, the FoEJ Media learned.
The matter has been listed for further heading on February 27, SP Agarwal is expected to submit the detailed response with the explanation of circumstances of the detention and any procedural lapses.
