Jharkhand LoP Marandi returns 13-year-old bulletproof vehicle, writes to CM Soren
Synopsis
Jharkhand's Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi has handed back a 13-year-old, repeatedly breaking-down bulletproof vehicle to the state government and alleged that an order from 'above' blocked its replacement — even as the Home Department purchased 17 new bulletproof vehicles in December 2024, three of which went to the Chief Minister. A vehicle in former CM Arjun Munda's convoy has already met with an accident.
Key Takeaways
Babulal Marandi returned a 13-year-old bulletproof Safari to the Jharkhand government on 9 November 2026 , citing frequent breakdowns.
He has written to CM Hemant Soren demanding a written reply within seven days on the condition of security vehicles for former Chief Ministers.
The Home Department purchased 17 new bulletproof vehicles in December 2024 ; three went to the CM and two to the Raj Bhavan, while former CMs reportedly still use vehicles aged 10–12 years .
Marandi alleged officials informally cited an instruction from 'above' blocking vehicle replacement, and demanded the CM identify who issued it.
Former CM Arjun Munda's security convoy was involved in an accident near Chowka on 6 November 2026 , with his office having sent six unanswered letters about vehicle conditions since July 2024.
Three security Gypsies in Marandi's protection detail are reportedly dilapidated and have each crossed four lakh kilometres .
Jharkhand Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi has returned his 13-year-old bulletproof vehicle to the state government, citing repeated mechanical breakdowns, and has written to Chief Minister Hemant Soren demanding a written response within seven days on the condition of security vehicles assigned to former Chief Ministers. The development has renewed scrutiny over how the state government manages VIP security infrastructure.
Why Marandi Returned the Vehicle
In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Soren, Marandi stated that the bulletproof Safari allotted to him as Leader of Opposition breaks down frequently during travel, hampering his ability to tour the state. He pointedly asked whether the Chief Minister would himself agree to travel in a vehicle in such condition. Marandi also urged Soren to direct the Home Department to formally take possession of the returned vehicle and issue a written acknowledgement to his office.
A Complaint That Went Unanswered
Marandi noted that he had flagged the same issue through a letter dated 21 March 2026, but said no effective action followed. His personal secretary had also submitted a written complaint to the Home Secretary, and both the Director General of Police and the Inspector General of Police (Provision) had been informed repeatedly — still without concrete resolution. He alleged that officials informally indicated an instruction had come from 'above' against replacing the vehicles, and demanded the Chief Minister clarify who issued that directive and on what grounds.
New Vehicles Purchased, Yet Old Ones Remain in Use
Marandi pointed out a stark contrast: the Home Department purchased 17 bulletproof vehicles in December 2024. Of these, three were allotted to the Chief Minister and two to the Raj Bhavan, while the remaining 12 were placed in headquarters reserve for VIP movement. Despite this acquisition, former Chief Ministers were reportedly still being made to use vehicles that were 10 to 12 years old. He also raised concern over three Gypsies deployed for the protection of his security personnel, saying the vehicles were dilapidated and had each covered more than four lakh kilometres.
Arjun Munda's Case and a Recent Accident
Marandi widened the complaint to include former Chief Minister Arjun Munda, saying Munda's office had sent six letters between July 2024 and June 2026 flagging deteriorating security vehicle conditions — also without response. Notably, a vehicle in Munda's security convoy was involved in an accident near Chowka on 6 November 2026, adding urgency to the concerns. Marandi demanded a technical review of security vehicles provided to all former Chief Ministers under uniform standards, along with a full account of action taken on their complaints.
What Happens Next
The Chief Minister's office has not publicly responded as of the time of reporting. Marandi's seven-day deadline sets a political clock on the Soren government to either clarify the alleged instruction against replacing vehicles or move to address the security gaps. How the government responds — or does not — is likely to become a flashpoint in Jharkhand's ongoing opposition-treasury confrontation.
Point of View
Breakdown-prone SUVs is precisely the kind of disparity that feeds opposition narratives about partisan resource allocation. The alleged informal instruction from 'above' to block replacements — if substantiated — raises a more serious question about whether the state's security apparatus is being used as a political instrument. The Chowka accident involving Munda's convoy adds a safety dimension that could force the government's hand faster than any letter-writing campaign.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Babulal Marandi return his bulletproof vehicle?
Marandi returned the 13-year-old bulletproof Safari because it broke down repeatedly during travel, making it unreliable for his tours as Jharkhand's Leader of Opposition. He cited both safety concerns and the government's failure to replace it despite multiple complaints since March 2026.
What has Marandi demanded from Chief Minister Hemant Soren?
Marandi has sought a written response from CM Soren within seven days on the condition of security vehicles assigned to former Chief Ministers, clarification on who allegedly ordered that replacements be withheld, and a technical review of all such vehicles under uniform standards.
Who was involved in the recent security convoy accident?
A vehicle in former Chief Minister Arjun Munda's security convoy met with an accident near Chowka on 6 November 2026. Munda's office had reportedly sent six letters between July 2024 and June 2026 flagging deteriorating vehicle conditions, none of which resulted in action.
Why are former Chief Ministers still using old vehicles if new ones were bought?
The Jharkhand Home Department purchased 17 new bulletproof vehicles in December 2024, but three went to the Chief Minister and two to the Raj Bhavan, with the remaining 12 placed in headquarters reserve. Former Chief Ministers, including Marandi, were reportedly still assigned vehicles aged 10 to 12 years.
What is the alleged 'instruction from above' that Marandi referred to?
Marandi alleged that officials informally told him there was a directive from higher authority against replacing the security vehicles assigned to him. He has asked CM Soren to identify who issued that instruction and on what grounds the replacement was withheld.
