Chief minister Hemant Soren recommended a CBI investigation into the death of freedom fighter Sidhu Murmu’s descendant, Rameshwar, on Saturday to try and quell dissent within his constituency of Barhait where his body was found ahead of the upcoming byelections in Dumka.

A brief communiqué issued by the CMO read: “CM has approved recommendation of CBI probe in connection with the murder of late Rameshwar Murmu, who was killed on June 12, 2020 in Bhognadih under Barhait police station in Sahebganj following a proposal from Jharkhand DGP MV Rao.”

Later, Hemant issued a statement to say, “The decision for a CBI probe has been taken in view of several representations and demands by social and political organisations.”

Rameshwar’s (28) body was found in a field at Bhognadih in Barhait, the Assembly segment in Dumka in the Santhal Parganas, a traditional stronghold of the ruling JMM. Four days later, the deceased’s family lodged an FIR at Barhait police station in Sahebganj district accusing one Saddam Ansari of the crime.

According to family members, Rameshwar had protested against Ansari for allegedly passing lewd remarks against a village girl. But, police, citing post-mortem reports, said Rameshwar, who was an alcoholic, died of heart attack.

On June 23, Ansari surrendered in court and was sent to judicial custody.

The incident triggered massive protests with the Opposition BJP accusing lawlessness under the Hemant Soren government. Leaders met governor Droupadi Murmu to demand a CBI probe. The saffron camp even accused the Hemant government of covering up the murder through a shoddy police probe.

Hemant’s decision to recommend a CBI probe comes a day after the Election Commision of India (ECI) announced dates for the Bihar Assembly polls, stating that a separate notification for pending bypolls would be issued soon.

Political observers believe that the coming bypolls in Dumka and Bermo may have played a part in the state government recommending a CBI probe even though the culprit was in jail and the state police had not hinted at foul play in the death of Rameshwar.

A political science professor of Sidho Kanho University in Dumka agreed, saying he believed that the recommendation of a CBI probe was driven by politics.

“Bhognadih happens be the epicentre of Santhal rebellion by tribal brothers—Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu. That is why Hul Diwas is observed in memory of the Murmu brothers on June 30 there every year. For any elections here, you can’t but talk of tribal rebellion and freedom fighters to strike a chord with adivasi voters. By recommending a CBI probe, JMM tried to counter the BJP’s barbs,” he said.