RANCHI: Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the death of tribal activist Nisha Bhagat.
“The CBI will now investigate the Nisha Bhagat case. Orders have been issued,” Soren said in a post on X.
Bhagat’s death, allegedly by suicide, had triggered a political row in Jharkhand, with the BJP and several activists demanding a CBI investigation into the case, news agency ANI reported.
She died on November 6 after a social media broadcast, viewed by thousands, in which she expressed deep distress and named local land mafias, government officials and alleged police inaction as reasons for her despair.
Police confirmed that an unnatural death (UD) case had been registered, a scientific examination of the scene conducted by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), and a medical board post-mortem carried out at RIMS.
The police administration acknowledged that Bhagat had accused the Pithoria police station house officer (SHO) of ignoring her earlier written complaints. However, officials said they were investigating the allegations before assigning any formal responsibility, ANI reportedly.
Gaurav Goswami, superintendent of police (SP) Rural, Ranchi, had said, “We are looking into every point you have raised; however, it would be inappropriate to comment on any specific detail before the investigation is complete. Once the investigation concludes, all findings will be shared with you.”
“Regarding the allegation she made against a police officer—specifically the officer in charge of the Pithoria police station—claiming that there was no positive response despite multiple complaints: as I stated, everything is part of the ongoing investigation. Once the inquiry is complete, all details will be shared with you,” Goswami added.
Leaders across party lines expressed condolences. The BJP targeted the JMM-led government and called for a CBI investigation.
On November 7, Union minister Giriraj Singh demanded a CBI probe, describing Bhagat as a fearless voice who fought for the protection of tribal land, culture and women’s safety, ANI reported.
Targeting Rahul Gandhi and Hemant Soren, Singh alleged that a fearless voice had been silenced.
“Today, Rahul Gandhi speaks loudly about the tribal community: the (Jharkhand) government led by Rahul Gandhi and Hemant Soren has effectively silenced a fearless voice. I demand that this case should be referred to the CBI for an impartial investigation; an unbiased probe is essential,” he said.
Minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth had also demanded the immediate arrest of administrative personnel named by Bhagat.
He described the suicide as a failure of law and order and the digital monitoring capabilities of state agencies such as the CID. Seth also called for a CBI investigation.
Courtesy : TOI
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