Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha of the Chhattisgarh High Court retired on September 4 after serving as the head of the court since March 29, 2023. A farewell ceremony was held at the High Court, where Justice Sinha spoke about the importance of institutional trust, judicial independence and the relationship between the Bench and the Bar.

During his tenure as Chief Justice, 50,228 cases were disposed of, including 32,600 matters before single benches and 17,628 before division benches. He also delivered more than 369 reported judgments dealing with significant questions of constitutional, criminal, arbitration and service law. 

Justice Sinha Emphasises Institutional Values

Addressing the farewell gathering, Justice Sinha said courts should not be viewed merely as physical structures. They are institutions where citizens approach the justice system with their hopes and faith in the rule of law.

He stressed that the Bench and the Bar are integral parts of the same justice-delivery system. According to him, an independent and dignified Bar is essential for a strong judiciary.

Justice Sinha also thanked judges, Registry officials, advocates and the state administration for their cooperation during his tenure.

Chief Justice’s Role Extends Beyond Case Disposal

Justice Sinha said the responsibilities of a Chief Justice go beyond deciding cases. Strengthening the institution, improving infrastructure and creating a dignified working environment are also important aspects of judicial administration.

He underlined the importance of fairness, trust and commitment to justice in building a strong judicial institution.

The outgoing Chief Justice said judicial office and the individuals occupying such positions are temporary, while institutions must remain strong and enduring.

50,228 Cases Disposed During Tenure

Justice Sinha took oath as Chief Justice of the Chhattisgarh High Court on March 29, 2023. According to figures presented during the farewell programme, 50,228 cases were disposed of during his tenure as Chief Justice. 

The disposal figure comprised:

• 32,600 cases decided by single benches

• 17,628 cases decided by division benches

• 369-plus reported judgments dealing with important legal questions

Before becoming Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh, Justice Sinha had served at the Allahabad High Court and had decided approximately 1,34,200 cases as a judge there, according to the Chhattisgarh High Court's official profile. 

Infrastructure and Administrative Work Highlighted

Justice Sanjay K. Agrawal, who spoke at the beginning of the ceremony, highlighted administrative and institutional work undertaken during Justice Sinha’s tenure, including developments concerning courts and residential facilities across the state.

The farewell programme also recognised Justice Sinha’s contribution to judicial administration and his role in strengthening the functioning of the High Court.

Justice Sanjay K. Agrawal to Perform CJ Duties

Following Justice Sinha’s retirement, Justice Sanjay K. Agrawal was appointed to perform the duties of the Chief Justice of the Chhattisgarh High Court under Article 223 of the Constitution.

The Union Law Ministry notified the arrangement on September 4, following Justice Sinha’s retirement. Justice Agrawal will perform the duties of the Chief Justice until the appointment of the next regular Chief Justice takes effect. 

The development comes after the Supreme Court Collegium recommended Justice Krushna Ram Mohapatra of the Orissa High Court for appointment as the next Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh following Justice Sinha’s retirement.

Justice Agrawal had also been recommended by the Collegium for appointment as Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court. 

A Farewell Focused on the Institution

Justice Sinha’s farewell address focused less on individual achievement and more on the continuity of the judicial institution.

He said the success of his tenure would ultimately depend on whether he left behind an institution stronger than the one he had inherited. His remarks placed emphasis on institutional values, cooperation between judges and lawyers and maintaining public confidence in the justice system.

A suicide case in Chhattisgarh's Raipur has taken a serious turn after a video allegedly recorded by the deceased before his death surfaced nine days later. In the video, mechanic Mahesh Das Manikpuri is heard accusing a police personnel and several others of mentally harassing him, claiming they drove him to take the extreme step.

The video, recovered from the deceased's mobile phone after his death, has prompted the family to demand a fair and independent investigation into the allegations. Police have confirmed that an inquiry is underway and said further action will depend on the findings of the investigation.

Video Recovered Days After Death

According to officials, Mahesh Das Manikpuri, a resident of Khamtarai in Raipur, died by suicide on July 3 after allegedly hanging himself at his residence.

Family members had kept his mobile phone safely following the incident. Around nine days later, while checking the device, they discovered a video recorded before his death in which Mahesh made a series of allegations against individuals, including a police personnel identified as Bunty.

Allegations of Mental Harassment

In the video, Mahesh claims he was ending his life because of continuous mental harassment. He alleges that Bunty, associated with the Crime Branch in Khamtarai, along with Pratima Manikpuri, Mogradas, Gopidas Manikpuri and others, had made his life unbearable.

He further alleged that he was subjected to persistent pressure and claimed he had been forced into taking the extreme step. His family has also accused the police personnel of allegedly pressuring him for money.

The allegations made in the video are currently under investigation and have not been independently verified.

Family Seeks Action Against Accused

After viewing the video, Mahesh's relatives approached senior police officials and lodged a formal complaint, demanding strict action against those named in the recording.

Family members said that had their concerns been addressed earlier, Mahesh's life might have been saved. They have called for an impartial investigation to establish the circumstances that led to his death.

Police Confirm Probe Is Underway

Khamtarai Police Station in-charge Jitendra Jaiswal said the complaint submitted by the family is being examined and that the authenticity of the video, along with the allegations made in it, will be verified during the investigation.

Police officials stated that every aspect of the case, including the sequence of events leading to the suicide and the claims of harassment, will be investigated before any conclusion is reached.

Previous Criminal Case Mentioned

Police also said that Mahesh Das Manikpuri had previously faced legal action around six months ago in a case where he was accused of impersonating a police officer and allegedly collecting money from people.

Officials clarified that this earlier case will also form part of the investigation to understand the broader background of the incident, while emphasizing that the allegations made in the suicide video will be examined on their own merits.

Investigation Continues

Authorities have assured the family that the inquiry will be conducted thoroughly. Investigators are expected to examine the mobile phone, verify the video recording, record statements of the individuals named by the deceased and collect other evidence before deciding on further legal action.

The case has drawn attention due to the serious allegations against police personnel, with the investigation expected to determine whether any criminal liability arises from the circumstances surrounding the mechanic's death.

A sessions court in Gwalior has sentenced two men to life imprisonment for the brutal abduction and murder of a 12-year-old boy, holding them guilty of carrying out the crime as an act of revenge after the victim's sister was married to someone else.

Additional Sessions Judge Dhirendra Singh Parihar convicted the main accused, Shivam alias Tota Kushwah (23), and his associate Aman Goswami alias Yogi (21) for kidnapping, murder and destruction of evidence. The court also imposed financial penalties on both convicts, describing the crime as exceptionally cruel. The verdict was delivered nearly 19 months after the incident, with the prosecution relying heavily on digital and forensic evidence to establish the accused's involvement.

Revenge Motive Behind the Crime

According to the prosecution, Shivam was in a relationship with the victim's elder sister, Nandani. While both families had initially agreed to their marriage, opposition from the girl's stepfather led to the proposal being called off. The family later arranged Nandani's marriage with another man.

Investigators said Shivam harboured resentment over the marriage and allegedly decided to take revenge by targeting her younger brother, 12-year-old Hem Singh Rajput, instead of confronting the family directly.

Lured to Fair, Killed in Forest

The prosecution told the court that on July 29, 2024, Hem left home to visit the Gupteshwar Mahadev fair. During his journey, Shivam allegedly contacted the boy over the phone and persuaded him to meet on the pretext of taking him around the fair.

Shivam, along with Aman, allegedly kidnapped Hem and took him to an isolated forest area near Dev Kho Road in the Tighra police station limits. After consuming alcohol, the two allegedly attacked the child with large stones, inflicting fatal head injuries and crushing his jaw.

To conceal the crime, the accused buried the body beneath heavy stones before fleeing the spot.

Digital Evidence Cracked the Case

The victim's body was discovered the following day after a shepherd noticed flies hovering over stones in the forest and found the child's fingers protruding from beneath them.

Police launched an intensive investigation using digital evidence. CCTV footage from liquor shops near Tighra and Dev Kho Road allegedly captured the accused with the victim shortly before the murder and showed them purchasing alcohol.

Investigators also matched the mobile phone locations of both accused with the crime scene. Call detail records established that the final call received by Hem before his disappearance was from Shivam.

The combination of CCTV footage, mobile location data and call records formed the backbone of the prosecution's case and played a decisive role in securing the conviction.

Court Calls Crime 'Shocking'

While pronouncing the sentence, the court observed that the murder of an innocent child to settle a personal grudge was a crime that shook human conscience.

The judge noted that taking the life of a minor over a failed relationship or family dispute was unacceptable under any circumstances and warranted strict punishment under the law.

The prosecution maintained that the verdict sends a strong message that crimes driven by personal revenge, particularly those involving children, will be dealt with firmly by the justice system.