The Jharkhand High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the rape and brutal murder of a minor girl in the Vishnugarh area of Hazaribagh district. Notices have been issued to the State Home Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP) for their responses. The court expressed deep concern over the delay in apprehending the accused and directed authorities to ensure the victim’s family’s security.
Advocate Hemant Shikarwar highlighted the incident to the court, likening it to the infamous Delhi ‘Nirbhaya’ case based on media reports. The court termed the crime as a heinous act that brings shame to humanity. It requested investigation details from the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Hazaribagh, who participated virtually in the proceedings.
The SP informed the court that police teams promptly responded to the incident, gathering crucial evidence with forensic and dog squad assistance. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed under DGP Tadasha Mishra’s directives to actively investigate the case. The SP assured the court of identifying and apprehending the culprits soon, although the court expressed serious concern over the delay in their arrest.
According to the police, the incident occurred during a village procession on the evening of Ram Navami. The minor girl went missing after attending the event, and her mutilated body was discovered the following day near the village. Initial findings suggest she was sexually assaulted before being killed. The incident has sparked widespread outrage in the region, prompting local protests for swift justice. The BJP has called for a bandh in Hazaribagh in response to the incident.
