Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren Orders Probe into Alleged Assault on Tribal Woman by Police

Taking cognisance of the matter after it was highlighted in a post on X, Sorinstructed the district police chief to conduct an immediate inquiry, take appropriate action and submit a report. The Chief Minister said such an incident, if established, would be unacceptable.

The alleged incident reportedly occurred in the Bariyatu police station area of Latehar district on October 5.

According to the woman's account and allegations raised by local residents, Punia Devi had taken her goats out to graze when she became involved in an altercation with police personnel who were allegedly in plain clothes.

The complaint alleges that Bariyatu police station in-charge Prabhat Kumar Das and three other personnel subsequently took her away. Devi alleged that she was assaulted and verbally abused during the journey, including being subjected to casteist slurs.

Villagers further alleged that the woman was beaten inside the police station after being restrained and hung upside down. She has also levelled allegations of sexual misconduct against the personnel involved.

The complaint additionally alleges that the police accused Devi of cultivating poppy and forcibly took Rs 80,000 from her residence. According to the account, the money had been kept aside for a wedding.

Devi was reportedly released the following night. The allegations have not yet been independently established, and the matter remains under investigation.

Following the incident, villagers approached the office of the Latehar Superintendent of Police and submitted a written complaint seeking action against the personnel named in the allegations.

In response, the district police administration constituted an inquiry team headed by the Balumath Sub-Divisional Police Officer, with a woman police officer also included in the team.

Local tribal organisations have demanded the suspension of the accused personnel and registration of an FIR under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The investigation is expected to examine the allegations and establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. The state government's directions call for an inquiry and appropriate action based on its findings.