The Jharkhand High Court has sought a report from the Director General of Police (DGP) within two weeks in connection with the alleged sexual exploitation of a female inmate at Birsa Munda Central Jail.
During the hearing on Friday, the state government informed the court that the Home Department has constituted a three-member committee to investigate the allegations.
The committee comprises Director (Administration) Manoj Kumar, Assistant Prison Inspector Tushar Ranjan Gupta, and Probation Officer Chandramouli Singh from the Inspectorate of Prisons and Correctional Services.
The court was also informed that Judicial Magistrate Shruti Soren is conducting a judicial inquiry based on findings submitted by the investigation team of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Ranchi.
The high court had taken suo motu cognisance of the matter. The case was heard by the vacation bench of Justice Rangon Mukhopadhyay and Justice PK Srivastava.
Also read: Political row over alleged sexual exploitation in Ranchi Jail
During the proceedings, the bench observed that serious allegations had surfaced against the jail superintendent, including claims of sexual exploitation of a female inmate, her becoming pregnant, and attempts to terminate the pregnancy.
The court further noted reports suggesting that efforts were allegedly made to suppress the matter. Calling it an “extremely serious issue,” the bench remarked that the officer entrusted with the safety and welfare of prisoners was himself accused of becoming a “predator.”
The court directed the state government to submit a clear and detailed response outlining the steps taken so far to verify the allegations. The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for June 8.
The court also instructed the state counsel to file a comprehensive affidavit in the matter.
The issue had earlier been raised publicly by Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi and sections of the media, following which the Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority constituted an inquiry team.
The team visited the jail and recorded statements of the alleged victim, prison para-legal volunteers (PLVs), and the jail doctor.
Sources said the inquiry report has already been submitted to the authority. Separate investigations are also being carried out by the Ranchi district administration and the Prison IG.
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