Kushagra Rudra Rana, husband of Jharkhand High Court advocate Anushka Chakraborty whose body was found under suspicious circumstances, surrendered before the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Hazaribagh on Thursday, 29 October. The accused had been absconding since the incident, prompting police to launch search operations across Jharkhand and two other states.

Surrender and Custody Proceedings

Rupesh Kumar Singh, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (Sadar), confirmed the surrender and stated that police would move the court seeking Rana's custodial remand for interrogation. Authorities had earlier initiated proceedings to cancel his passport and arms licence and freeze his bank accounts as part of efforts to secure his arrest.

How the Case Unfolded

On 22 October, the body of Anushka Chakraborty was discovered hanging inside Flat No. 304, Gupta Complex, Hazaribagh, under circumstances that raised suspicion. Her family subsequently accused her husband and his relatives of dowry-related harassment and murder, demanding a thorough probe and justice for the deceased advocate.

Following the incident, Rana and his family members reportedly went into hiding. The victim's family moved the Jharkhand High Court, which directed that the investigation be conducted by an officer of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).

Accused's Claims Before Surrendering

Shortly before his surrender, Rana released a video on social media in which he rejected all allegations and instead blamed his wife's family for the circumstances leading to her death. He alleged that his father-in-law frequently interfered in his business affairs and pressured him to be appointed as a company director. He further claimed he was subjected to financial coercion and forced to part with money and valuables.

In the same video, Rana referred to Manoj Mahto, a representative of Ramgarh MLA Mamta Devi, alleging that ₹7 lakh was transferred from a company bank account and a further ₹10 lakh was paid in cash in connection with an alleged promise of influence in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission examination process. These claims have not been independently verified.

Rana also claimed that marital disputes arose from what he described as his wife's close association with another woman advocate while the couple were living in Ranchi. This allegation, too, remains unverified.

What Happens Next

Police are expected to seek custodial remand of the accused for detailed questioning. The investigation, now under DSP-level supervision per the High Court's directive, is ongoing. The family's dowry harassment and murder allegations remain at the centre of the case as authorities piece together the events leading to Anushka Chakraborty's death.