Jharkhand HC Orders Status Report on Key Appointments by April 13

Ranchi (IANS): The Jharkhand High Court on Wednesday directed the State Government to provide specific details regarding long-pending vacancies in key constitutional bodies by April 13.

These vacancies currently cripple essential institutions, including the Lokayukta, the State Human Rights Commission, and the State Information Commission.

A division bench of Chief Justice M.S. Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar heard a batch of Public Interest Litigations (PILs) and related contempt petitions on Wednesday.

State Claims Progress in “Final Stages”

Advocate General Rajiv Ranjan, appearing for the State, informed the court that a high-level Selection Committee recently met at Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s residence. He stated that the committee took key decisions regarding these high-profile appointments and that the process has reached its final stages.

Ranjan further explained that the Chief Minister is currently out of the state for the Assam elections. He assured the bench that the government would formally record the progress and decisions once the Chief Minister returns.

Impact of Prolonged Vacancies

Senior Advocate V.P. Singh, representing petitioner Rajkumar, argued that these vacancies—some pending for several years—severely hamper the state’s administrative and quasi-judicial functions.

Notably, the first PIL seeking Information Commissioner appointments dates back to 2020. Despite years of hearings and strong observations from the court, these posts remain empty.

Next Hearing Scheduled

The bench took the State’s submissions on record and scheduled the next hearing for April 13.

The petitions, filed by Advocate Rajkumar and the Advocates’ Association, demand that Jharkhand expeditiously fill these vital leadership roles to restore institutional oversight.