Four more were arrested by Dumka police, including a 16-year-old juvenile, on Tuesday in connection with the gang rape of a 35-year-old tribal woman that took place under the Mufassil police station area, last week. The victim, a mother of five minors, was returning home with her husband on December 8 after attending a rural haat when the incident took place. In the first information report (FIR) filed by the women, the next day, she told the police that as many as 17 men were involved in the crime. The revelation triggered an outrage across the state and also prompted the National Commission of Women (NCW) to take suo-moto cognizance. It also sent notices to the Jharkhand police urging it to start a time-bound probe. Jharkhand governor, Droupadi Murmu, too on Monday, summoned DGP MV Rao and directed him to step up policing to curb crime against women and children.
Addressing the reporters in Dumka on Tuesday evening, Ambar Lakra, informed, that 13 persons stand accused in this case. “Although the victim has complained about 17 men gang-raping her, the investigation, however, has so far revealed that around 13 individuals were involved in the crime. Along with these four arrests, we have arrested five more individuals. The special investigation team trying to trace the remaining eight accused,” he said.
On the recent arrests, SP said, “They had camped in a hideout near their village ‑ Ghasipur from where we picked them up last night after getting a tip-off. They have been produced before the court today after their formal arrest and have been sent to jail. The minor has been sent to a juvenile home.”
Those arrested today included Bodilal Hansda, Santosh Hembrom, Manoj Hansda, and a minor. The other three accused, fall in the age group of 20 and 22, he said. On December 10, one Mangal Mohli was held and sent to jail.
Meanwhile, different tribal and rights bodies namely Hazaribag Gramin Vikas Kendra, Munda Sabha, Women and Gender Resource Centre among others staged a protest at Ranchi’s Albert Ekka chowk on Tuesday afternoon demanding the arrest of all the culprits in this case. They also pressed for the state authority to ensure the safety and security of women in the state. They also asked to put all such cases into fast track courts.
Jharkhand police off late have been facing lots of flak for law and order situation with a sudden rise in the number of rapes, murder, dacoity among others in recent months. According to the state police website, till September this year, 1,359 rapes alone have been reported since January 2020.