Ranchi, March 15: Sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Sanjay Singh has turned down the request of city police to clamp Section 144 of CrPC at GEL Church Marketing Complex, a premier commercial and marketing hub.
Instead, he has asked superintendent of police (city) Sambhu Thakur to direct all the officers in charge in his jurisdiction to justify why the prohibitory order was needed in the market.
Officer in charge of Lower Bazar police station K.P. Yadav had approached Singh outside the court for passing the prohibitory order.
Taking serious note of the issue, the SDM also asked the police officer to maintain sanctity of the court and not influence any magistrate outside it.
The order was passed on March 13, five days after the police had made the request. Singh carried out investigation with the help of an executive magistrate before passing the order.
“It would have caused embarrassment to the district administration if the prohibitory order was imposed on GEL Church Complex,” Singh said, adding that proceedings under Section 144 could only be initiated in case there was possibility of breach of peace.
When contacted, Yadav defended himself, saying that he had approached the SDM, apprehending law and order problem at GEL Church Marketing Complex.
“I took the step after coming to know that the general secretary of GEL Church, Cyril Lakra, wants to undertake construction behind the marketing complex and shopowners were not in favour of it,” he added.