Delay in Bishungarh Minor Rape-Murder Probe Sparks Outrage; No Arrests, BJP Calls Bandh

New Delhi: Public anger is mounting in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh district over the alleged brutal rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Kusumba village under Bishungarh police station limits, with no arrests made even as a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted and protests intensify.

The victim had gone with her mother to watch the ‘Mangla’ procession, a traditional Ram Navami ritual, on the night of March 24 in her village. 

She went missing and her body was discovered the next morning (March 25) in a field near a bamboo grove, according to police and family statements. Villagers and the family alleged she was abducted, raped, and murdered with extreme violence. 

A piece of bamboo was reportedly recovered from the girl’s private parts, and she suffered severe injuries including broken teeth and trauma to the eyes and face. 

Bishungarh SDPO Baidyanath Prasad confirmed that forensic teams from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), a dog squad, and other evidence collection measures have been deployed. Call Detail Records (CDRs) of suspects are being analysed, and CCTV footage along with witness statements are under scrutiny. 

However, confirmation of rape and exact cause of death is still awaited pending the postmortem and FSL reports. 

Jharkhand DGP Tadasha Mishra announced the formation of a three-member SIT on March 29 to ensure a swift and thorough probe. Despite these steps, no arrests have been made so far, triggering strong public outrage and protests in the area. 

Villagers had earlier stopped the SDPO’s vehicle, demanding immediate action.The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticised the delay.

State BJP leaders, including Hazaribagh MP Manish Jaiswal and others, visited the victim’s family and issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the state government. 

They have called for a Hazaribagh bandh (shutdown) today (Monday, March 30), with reports indicating closure of markets and road blockades in several parts of the district. 

BJP leaders have warned of further statewide agitation and a possible ‘Jharkhand Bandh’ if the accused are not arrested soon. 

Union Minister Annpurna Devi described the incident as “heartbreaking” and demanded strict action and immediate arrests. 

The Jharkhand High Court has also taken suo motu cognisance of the case and issued notice to the state administration.The victim’s family is in deep shock. The girl’s mother appealed for swift justice and the harshest punishment for the culprits. Local MLAs from the area have also visited the family and pressed for accountability.

Police have assured that the investigation is being treated as a priority case. 

Further details are expected once the pending forensic and postmortem reports are received.This horrific incident has once again raised serious questions about women’s and children’s safety in the state, with demands for fast-track justice growing louder.