RAMDEO ORAON Vs. STATE OF JHARKHAND

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The sole appellant is before this Court in appeal against the judgment of conviction and sentence under Ss. 302, 307 and 333 of the IPC and Sec. 4 of the Explosive Substance Act.

(2.) Prosecution case unfolds the tragic reality of our democratic polity, where elections in parts of the country are held under the shadow of threat from extremist groups opposing the democratic process.

(3.) On 7/5/1996, police patrolling party was on patrolling duty in Balumath area under District Latehar to ensure free and fair election, followed by a team of Commando Force on a Tata 407 mini bus. When the jeep of the patrolling party reached the place of occurrence at around 2 p.m. at a distance of 2 Km. from village Hisari, it was ambushed by the extremist party. The jeep which was leading the patrolling party, was blown up by the land mine explosion and then the extremists started firing on the police party. Commando Force which was following the jeep, returned the fire which continued for 1 1/2 hour and then the extremists taking advantage of the dense forest, retreated and melted in the wilderness. Altogether four police personnel died of explosion in the line of their duty and others were injured.