Jharkhand High Court Demands Accountability in Minor's Rape-Murder Case in Hazaribagh
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Ranchi, March 30 (IAN) The Jharkhand High Court has recently taken suo motu notice regarding the horrific rape and murder of a young girl in the Vishnugarh region of Hazaribagh district. The court has issued formal notices to the State Home Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP), demanding their responses.
Expressing grave concern over the lack of timely arrests, the court has taken a stringent stance on the matter, instructing authorities to ensure adequate protection for the victim’s family.
Advocate Hemant Shikarwar highlighted the case in court, referencing media reports and drawing parallels to the infamous Delhi ‘Nirbhaya’ incident, asserting that the brutality exhibited by the offenders was unprecedented.
Labeling the crime as a shameful act against humanity, the court requested a detailed report on the ongoing investigation from the Hazaribagh Superintendent of Police (SP), who attended the virtual proceedings.
The SP informed the court that police teams promptly arrived at the scene after being alerted and gathered vital evidence with the assistance of a forensic team and dog squad. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed under the directive of DGP Tadasha Mishra, and is actively pursuing the case.
The SP provided assurances to the court regarding the swift identification and apprehension of the suspects. Nevertheless, the court expressed serious concern over the failure to capture the culprits even six days post-incident.
According to police reports, the tragic event transpired during the evening of Ram Navami, coinciding with a Mangala Shobhayatra procession in the village. The minor girl had ventured out to observe the festivities but failed to return home. After an extensive overnight search, her disfigured body was discovered in nearby bushes the following day. Initial investigations indicate that she was sexually assaulted prior to her murder.
This incident has sparked significant outrage among the local community, leading to protests demanding immediate justice. The BJP has called for a bandh in Hazaribagh today in response to this grievous event.