1 W.P. (Cr.) No.192 of 2024 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI W.P. (Cr.) No.192 of 2024 ------ Sahadev Rana, Son of Late Gandouri Rana, Aged about 52 years, Resident of Pakartand, Basariya, P.O.-Chouparan, P.S.-Chouparan, Dist.-Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. … Petitioner Versus 1. The State of Jharkhand 2. The Secretary, Department of Home, Jail and Disaster Management, Government of Jharkhand, Dhurwa, P.O. & P.S. Dhurwa, Ranchi. 3. The Superintendent of Police, Hazaribagh, P.O. & P.S.- Hazaribagh, District-Hazaribagh. 4. The Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Hazaribagh, P.O. & P.S.- Hazaribagh, District-Hazaribagh. 5. The Officer-in-Charge, Chouparan Police Station, P.O.- Chouparan, P.S.-Chouparan, District-Hazaribagh. 6. The Investigation Officer, Chouparan Police Station FIR No.297 of 2023, P.O. Chouparan, P.S.-Chouparan, Dist.-Hazaribagh. … Respondents ------ For the Petitioner : Mr. Arpit Kumar. Advocate For the State : Mr. Manish Kumar, Sr.Sc-II : Mrs. Nirupama, AC to Sr.Sc-II ------ P R E S E N T HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL KUMAR CHOUDHARY By the Court:- Heard the parties. 2. Though, this Writ Petition (Cr.) under Article 226 of the Constitution of India has been filed inter alia with several prayers, but the the learned counsel for the petitioner abandons all other prayers and confines his prayer for 2 W.P. (Cr.) No.192 of 2024 issuance of direction to the respondents to expedite the investigation of Chouparan P.S. Case No.297 of 2023 and conclude the investigation within timeframe to be stipulated by this Court. 3. The brief facts of the case is that the writ petitioner is the informant of Chouparan P.S. Case No.297 of 2023 registered for the offences punishable under Section 302 and 120B/34 of the Indian Penal Code. It is alleged in the written report that on 12.07.2023, the wife of the informant namely Maina Devi was murdered by assault on her neck with sword by four persons who were covering their faces with towel(Gamchhi). It is next alleged that prior to the occurrence, the brother of the informant namely Nakul Rana threatened to kill the informant and his wife and the named accused persons of the case about one month prior to the date of occurrence threatened to kill the informant and his wife. It is also alleged that, prior to the occurrence, the son of the informant namely Rohit Rana was also kidnapped, in which case the named accused persons of this case, were also accused persons and which case is still pending but they were released on bail 4 months prior to the occurrence of murder of the wife of the writ petitioner and because of threatening of the accused persons, the petitioner and his wife were residing in a rented accommodation. It is next submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioner that no proper investigation has been carried out till today and none of the accused persons of the case has been apprehended. The re-statement of the informant and statement of several witnesses have been recorded during the investigation of the case wherein they have stated specifically about commission of murder by the accused persons named in the FIR as a revenge against the informant because of land dispute between them. It is alleged that Investigating Officer is 3 W.P. (Cr.) No.192 of 2024 sitting tight over the matter even, though, there is ample material in the record to proceed against the named accused persons of the case, hence, it is submitted that the respondents be directed to ensure expeditious investigation of Chouparan P.S. Case No.297 of 2023 and conclude the same within reasonable time period as framed by this Court. 4. Learned counsel appearing for the State submits that respondents are duty bound to ensure speedy, fair and proper investigation of Chouparan P.S. Case No.297 of 2023 and will take the investigation to its logical conclusion expeditiously. It is further submitted that the charge sheet has been submitted against accused Nakul Rana and Manoj Rana; while investigation is going on in respect of involvement of other named accused persons of the case and Nakul Rana and Manoj Rana has already been arrested and produced before the Court and the State is duty bound to conduct rest of the investigation expeditiously. 5. Having heard the rival submissions made at the Bar and after considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the respondents to conduct rest of the investigation of the Chouparan P.S. Case No.297 of 2023 expeditiously and take the investigation to its logical conclusion and submits the police report under Section 173(2) of Cr.P.C. within a period of three months from the date of this order. 6. This W.P. (Cr.), is disposed of with the aforesaid direction accordingly. (Anil Kumar Choudhary, J.) High Court of Jharkhand, Ranchi Dated the 06th of March, 2025 AFR/ Abhiraj