Jharkhand HC upholds life term for two convicts in Dhanbad judge murder case
Synopsis
Four years after a CCTV-captured autorickshaw killing sent shockwaves through India's judiciary, the Jharkhand High Court has shut the door on appeals by the two convicted men — calling the act an 'attack on the judiciary' and leaving their natural-life sentences firmly intact.
Key Takeaways
The Jharkhand High Court on 14 July dismissed appeals by Rahul Verma and Lakhan Verma , upholding their life sentences.
The division bench, led by Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay , described the killing as 'an attack on the judiciary.' Judge Uttam Anand , Additional District and Sessions Judge, Dhanbad , was fatally struck by an autorickshaw on 28 July 2021 .
The CBI Special Court had convicted both men on 28 July 2022 and sentenced them on 6 August 2022 to life imprisonment with a fine of ₹25,000 each.
Both convicts were tried under IPC Sections 302, 201, and 34 .
The High Court's ruling leaves the natural-life incarceration order fully in force.
The Jharkhand High Court on Tuesday, 14 July upheld the life imprisonment of Rahul Verma and Lakhan Verma, the two men convicted for the murder of Dhanbad Additional District and Sessions Judge Uttam Anand, who was fatally struck by an autorickshaw during a morning walk in 2021. A division bench headed by Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay dismissed the criminal appeals filed by both convicts and declined to interfere with the trial court's verdict.
What the High Court Ruled
The division bench reviewed the lower court records in full and examined submissions from both sides before dismissing the appeals. In its judgment, the court characterised the killing as 'an attack on the judiciary' — language that underscores the gravity with which the bench viewed the case. Advocate Sabyasachi represented the appellants before the High Court.
With the appeals dismissed, the sentence awarded by the CBI Special Court in Dhanbad now stands in full force. The special court had further directed that both convicts remain incarcerated for the remainder of their natural lives.
The Crime That Shook the Judiciary
Judge Uttam Anand was on his routine morning walk in Dhanbad on 28 July 2021 when he was struck by an autorickshaw. He sustained severe injuries and subsequently died. The incident was captured on CCTV cameras, and the footage triggered nationwide outrage, raising urgent questions about the safety and security of judicial officers across India.
Given the seriousness of the matter — and the identity of the victim — the investigation was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). This was the third high-profile case in recent years to spotlight the vulnerability of members of the judiciary to targeted violence.
Trial Court Conviction and Sentencing
Following a detailed trial, the CBI Special Court on 28 July 2022 — exactly one year after the incident — convicted autorickshaw driver Lakhan Verma and his associate Rahul Verma of murder. On 6 August 2022, the court sentenced both men to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹25,000 on each.
The accused were charged under Sections 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Significance for Judicial Safety
The Jharkhand High Court's ruling closes a significant chapter in a case that had become a flashpoint for debates on the protection of judicial officers in India. The Supreme Court had taken suo motu cognisance of the incident in 2021, reflecting the alarm felt at the highest levels of the judiciary. The High Court's affirmation of the life sentence sends a firm signal that attacks on members of the judiciary will be met with the full weight of the law.
Whether the convicts choose to appeal to the Supreme Court remains to be seen, but the High Court's unequivocal language leaves little room for leniency at any subsequent stage.
Point of View
The judiciary's credibility is on trial alongside the accused. The Supreme Court's suo motu intervention in 2021 set the tone; the High Court's language — 'attack on the judiciary' — sustains it. What remains unresolved is the systemic question: India still lacks a dedicated, enforceable framework for the physical security of judicial officers below the High Court level. This case should have prompted one. It has not.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were convicted in the Dhanbad judge Uttam Anand murder case?
Autorickshaw driver Lakhan Verma and his associate Rahul Verma were convicted for the murder of Additional District and Sessions Judge Uttam Anand . The CBI Special Court in Dhanbad found both guilty on 28 July 2022 and sentenced them to life imprisonment on 6 August 2022.
What did the Jharkhand High Court rule on 14 July?
The Jharkhand High Court dismissed the criminal appeals filed by Rahul Verma and Lakhan Verma, upholding their life sentences. The division bench headed by Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay declined to interfere with the trial court's verdict and described the killing as an attack on the judiciary.
How was Judge Uttam Anand killed?
Judge Uttam Anand was fatally struck by an autorickshaw while on a morning walk in Dhanbad on 28 July 2021. The incident was recorded on CCTV cameras and triggered nationwide outrage over the safety of judicial officers.
Why was the CBI brought in to investigate the case?
Given the gravity of the incident — the targeted killing of a sitting judicial officer — the investigation was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The CBI's involvement ensured a higher level of scrutiny and independence in the probe.
Can the convicts appeal further after the High Court ruling?
Yes, Rahul Verma and Lakhan Verma can potentially approach the Supreme Court of India against the Jharkhand High Court's order. However, the High Court's strong language describing the act as 'an attack on the judiciary' may limit the grounds available for further relief.
