RSS office petrol bomb attack in Ranchi: SIT formed, two detained
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The Jharkhand government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe a petrol bomb attack on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) office in the Nivaranpur area of Ranchi, with police confirming the detention of two individuals for questioning. The attack, which occurred late on Tuesday night (17 June), has drawn sharp political reactions and prompted a high-level law enforcement response.
What Happened
Two youths were captured on CCTV cameras hurling petrol bombs at the RSS office premises in Nivaranpur. One bomb exploded while the second failed to detonate. Authorities confirmed no injuries and no major structural damage to the building. Police teams and forensic experts were dispatched to the site immediately after the incident was reported.
Investigation Under Way
In addition to the SIT, a dog squad and a forensic team have been deployed at the scene. Ranchi City Superintendent of Police Paras Rana confirmed that evidence has been collected from the spot and that investigators are piecing together the sequence of events using CCTV footage, physical evidence, and interrogation of the detained suspects. Officials said efforts are under way to identify additional suspects and establish the motive behind the attack.
Political Response
Several senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders visited the RSS office following the incident and met Director General of Police Tadasha Mishra, demanding swift action. The DGP reportedly assured them that the investigation is progressing rapidly and that arrests would follow soon.
Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das condemned the attack and called for a thorough probe — not just of the perpetrators but of any larger conspiracy that may lie behind the incident. Das said he had earlier urged the DGP to form an SIT and welcomed the prompt move.
Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi described the attack as 'extremely serious and alarming,' stating he had issued instructions to the Ranchi SP, the district collector, and the DGP of Jharkhand Police to swiftly identify and arrest those responsible.
Broader Context
The attack on an RSS office in the state capital is being treated with heightened seriousness given the organisation's political significance. This comes amid a broader national pattern of targeted attacks on party and ideological offices that have repeatedly tested law enforcement response times and political tempers. The SIT formation signals that the Jharkhand administration is treating this as more than a routine law-and-order incident. All eyes are now on investigators to establish motive and determine whether the two detained youths acted alone.