RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Feb.7: A day after Jharkhand High Court advocate Rajeev Kumar sent a letter to the governor requesting permission to prosecute Advocate General Rajiv Ranjan for violating statutory provisions contained in the Jharkhand and Bihar Corrupt Practices Act, 1984, Ranjan expressed his displeasure over the move, saying it is the result of bias against him.
“No AG has ever filed assets details after the law was enacted in 1984. After the formulation of the law neither the rules were framed nor any format was decided in the matter,” Ranjan said after he was contacted for his comment on the letter to the governor seeking permission to lodge an FIR against the AG.
“By way of present complaint I request your Excellency to kindly grant me permission in writing to prosecute Advocate General, Jharkhand, Rajiv Ranjan for violation of statutory provisions contained in Jharkhand and Bihar Corrupt Practices Act, 1984 as because he has not submitted details of his movable and immovable properties before the competent authority/department as per statutory provisions contained in the Act,” advocate Kumar wrote.
In his letter, Kumar also mentioned an order passed by the Jharkhand High Court for committing criminal contempt against the AG to justify his demand.
“It is pertinent to bring to your kind noticed that contempt (Crl) Case No 03/2021 is also pending before Hon’ble Jharkhand High Court against present advocate general initiated on the basis of an order passed by Hon’ble Single Judge of Jharkhand High Court for committing criminal contempt against him,” the letter reads.
Asked advocate Kumar whether his action is not biased in the situation when earlier no AG has submitted their property details since the law was enacted, he said: “No”.
Explaining why, he said: “I am supposed to talk about the one which is present to ensure that rule of law may be enforced in the entire state and an example may be set for other law-abiding citizens. Going into the past is useless,” advocate Kumar said.
