Ranchi/Hazaribagh, Mar 31: The Jharkhand High Court on Monday took suo motu cognisance of the alleged rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Hazaribagh district, terming the incident a “heinous act that shames humanity”.
A division bench comprising Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad and Justice Sanjay Prasad took note of the matter based on media reports and issued notices to the state Home Secretary, Director General of Police (DGP) and the Hazaribagh Superintendent of Police (SP).
The court directed the authorities to submit a detailed status report on the investigation and ensure adequate security for the victim’s family. It also expressed concern over the delay in arresting the accused, observing that failure to nab the culprits even six days after the incident was a serious issue.
During the hearing, the court was informed that police teams had rushed to the spot immediately after receiving information and collected crucial evidence with the help of a forensic team and dog squad. Acting on the directions of DGP Tadasha Mishra, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the case and has been asked to submit a progress report within a week. The SP assured the court that the accused would be identified and arrested soon.
According to police, the incident took place on March 24 during Ram Navami celebrations when a Mangala Shobhayatra was being held in the village under Bishnugarh police station limits. The minor had gone to watch the procession but did not return home. Her mutilated body was recovered the following day from bushes near the village. Preliminary investigation suggests that she was raped before being murdered.
An advocate, Hemant Shikarwar, who mentioned the matter before the court, described the crime as comparable to the Nirbhaya case in terms of brutality, stating that the perpetrators had crossed all limits.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage in the region, with protests reported from various areas. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) called a 12-hour bandh in Hazaribagh, which saw significant impact across urban and rural areas, with markets closed and transport services disrupted.
Hazaribagh MP Manish Jaiswal warned of intensified agitation if the accused are not arrested promptly. “The mother of the victim is pleading for justice for her daughter. Such a heinous act is a blot on society,” he said, adding that the protest could be expanded statewide if necessary.
Meanwhile, BJP leaders, including members of its women’s wing, staged demonstrations in Ranchi, alleging deterioration in law and order. “Law and order has deteriorated in the state and women’s safety is at stake,” a party leader said.
The case continues to be under active investigation.
