Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has ordered an immediate investigation into allegations that a tribal woman was assaulted and tortured by police personnel in Latehar district, directing the district's Superintendent of Police to act swiftly and submit a report. The matter, which surfaced on 9 October 2026, has triggered protests by local villagers and drawn sharp responses from tribal organisations across the state.

What the Woman Alleged

According to the woman, identified as Punia Devi, and local villagers, the incident began on the afternoon of 5 October when she had taken goats to graze and got into an altercation with police personnel who were allegedly in plain clothes. It is alleged that Bariyatu police station in-charge Prabhat Kumar Das and three other personnel subsequently took her away.

The woman alleged that she was assaulted en route to the station, subjected to misbehaviour, and abused with casteist slurs. Villagers further claimed she was beaten with sticks at the police station, with her hands reportedly tied and her body hung upside down. She has also levelled allegations of sexual misconduct against the personnel involved. Separately, the complaint alleged that the police accused her of cultivating poppy and forcibly seized ₹80,000 from her home — money that had reportedly been set aside for a wedding. She was allegedly released from the station the following night. The allegations have not been independently verified.

How the Chief Minister Responded

The matter came to Hemant Soren's attention after it was flagged on social media platform X. Responding to the post, Soren issued instructions to the Latehar Superintendent of Police, describing the situation as unacceptable. He directed the police administration to investigate, take appropriate action, and file a report. The Latehar police administration has since constituted an inquiry team headed by the Balumath Sub-Divisional Police Officer, accompanied by a woman police officer.

Village Protests and Demand for FIR

Following the alleged incident, villagers gathered at the office of the Latehar Superintendent of Police and submitted a written complaint demanding action against the accused personnel. Jharkhand's local tribal organisations have gone further, calling for the suspension of the accused police personnel and the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Broader Context

The allegations, if substantiated, would represent a serious breach of duty in a state where a significant proportion of the population belongs to Scheduled Tribe communities. Incidents of alleged custodial misconduct against marginalised groups in Jharkhand have periodically drawn legal and political scrutiny. The invocation of the Atrocities Act by tribal bodies signals that community leaders view the alleged episode not merely as a law-and-order failure but as a matter of constitutional rights. The inquiry remains ongoing and no formal charges have been filed as of the latest reports.

The outcome of the Latehar SP's investigation is expected to determine whether criminal proceedings are initiated against the named police personnel.