Marandi returns 13-year-old bulletproof car, questions CM

Jharkhand Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi returned his 13-year-old bulletproof vehicle to the state government today.

The former Chief Minister cited repeated breakdowns and demanded a written response from Chief Minister Hemant Soren within seven days.

Marandi stated that the allotted bulletproof Safari frequently breaks down during his statewide tours, compromising his personal safety.

He asked if Soren would travel in such a condition and urged the Home Department to formally acknowledge the return.

Marandi noted that he previously raised this issue in a March 21 letter, yet the government took no effective action.

He pointed out that the Home Department purchased 17 new bulletproof vehicles in December 2024 for VIP security duties.

Officials allotted three vehicles to Soren, two to Raj Bhavan, and kept twelve in reserve at the headquarters.

Despite this purchase, the administration still forces former Chief Ministers to use aging vehicles that are over ten years old.

Marandi also highlighted that three dilapidated escort Gypsies protecting him have already covered more than four lakh kilometres.

His personal secretary previously complained to the Home Secretary, the Director General of Police, and the Inspector General of Police.

However, officials informally told Marandi that instructions from above prevented them from replacing the old security vehicles.

The opposition leader demanded that Soren clarify who issued this directive and explain the grounds for withholding the replacements.

He further sought a technical review of all security vehicles assigned to former Chief Ministers under uniform safety standards.

Marandi mentioned that former Chief Minister Arjun Munda’s office also sent six unanswered complaint letters regarding poor vehicle conditions.

A vehicle in Munda’s convoy recently crashed near Chowka on November 6, renewing serious concerns over VIP transport safety.