Ranchi: The Jharkhand high court on Friday directed city SP Paras Rana and Doranda police station officer-in-charge, Deepika Prasad, to ensure that the vehicle of advocate Manoj Tandon was released by 4:30 pm.Following the order, Tandon’s vehicle was later released by Doranda police station. Tandon will also give an undertaking that he will produce the vehicle when required for investigation of the case.The bench of Justice Gautam Kumar Choudhary gave the direction while hearing a petition filed by Tandon for the release of his vehicle, which police seized after a minor accident at Rajendra Chowk here on Feb 17.
Justice Choudhary directed the city SP and OC of Doranda police station to appear in person at 11:30 am. The DGP was also directed to appear through online mode for the hearing.The officers appeared before the court, and it was pleaded on behalf of the state that a petition was filed against the release of the vehicle before the Supreme Court, which was likely to be heard at 1 pm. The HC then posted the matter at 2:15 pm. The govt counsel again pleaded for an adjournment for 10 days then.The HC observed that Tandon’s car was in an accident at a very busy junction and he could not be driving at a high speed, as it was 10 am and he was coming to the court. There was no injury to any person, the court observed.“Seeking an adjournment would only stall the release of the vehicle, as courts will be closed for Holi holidays,” Justice Choudhary observed.“The vehicle was ordered to be released by the high court on Feb 19. Thereafter, the court of a judicial magistrate also ordered the police to release the vehicle, which was not complied with and indicates a ‘personal vendetta’ against Tandon,” Justice Choudhary said.
