Hazaribag Minor Girl's Death: Police Clarify Findings Amid Political Storm
In a significant development in the Hazaribag case, police authorities have officially stated that the 12-year-old girl, whose body was discovered last week, was not sexually assaulted. This announcement comes as political tensions escalate between the ruling alliance and the opposition over the incident and broader law-and-order concerns in Jharkhand.
Post-Mortem Report Details Cause of Death
Based on the comprehensive post-mortem examination, police confirmed that the girl's death resulted from asphyxia. The culprits allegedly pressed her mouth and nose, leading to fatal suffocation. Police officer Sapan Mahtha provided crucial insights, stating, "The post-mortem report has categorically rejected the rape claim. Furthermore, allegations regarding the cutting of her tongue and breaking of her teeth have also been ruled out."
Sources indicate that the detailed report has been formally submitted to the court. Investigators suspect that a relative of the victim and her lover, who are believed to be involved in the crime, attempted to mislead the investigation after the body was found.
Timeline of the Tragic Incident
The young girl went missing on March 24 after attending the 'Mangala Julus' event, which is part of the Ram Navami celebrations. Her body was tragically discovered near a school on March 25, sending shockwaves through the community.
Authorities revealed that after her death, the perpetrators crushed her face with a stone and inserted a stick into her private parts to create the appearance of a sexual assault. This disturbing detail is explicitly mentioned in the postmortem report. The murder occurred at one location, and her body was subsequently dumped at another site.
Police Investigation and Official Visits
On Wednesday morning, Hazaribag Superintendent of Police Anjani Anjan, along with his Special Investigation Team (SIT), visited the girl's village to review the ongoing investigation. Deputy Commissioner Shashi Prakash Singh also met with the bereaved family to offer condolences and assurances.
A source close to the investigation disclosed, "Approximately 20 individuals have been detained in connection with this incident and are currently undergoing rigorous questioning." The police are intensifying their efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible.
Political Warfare Over Law and Order
Simultaneously, both the Congress party, which is part of the ruling alliance, and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continued to criticize the state government on Wednesday regarding the deteriorating law-and-order situation in Jharkhand.
All India Congress Committee national secretary and former MLA Amba Prasad approached the governor, highlighting the lack of arrests in this case and other pressing issues. In a parallel move, a BJP delegation met with Director General of Police Tadasha Mishra to demand swift arrests and justice.
Speaking to reporters outside the Lok Bhawan, Prasad asserted, "I urged the governor for his immediate intervention in the Hazaribag incident involving a minor girl. Both the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of the district must be removed without delay. To this day, police have failed to apprehend the culprits. The entire administration appears to be acting under corporate influence, harassing farmers and poor landowners in the name of land acquisition for mining activities."
BJP Cites Alarming Crime Statistics
State BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo referenced National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data to underscore the severity of the situation. He stated, "From January 2020 to January this year, Jharkhand has recorded 10,113 rape cases, over 11,000 kidnapping incidents, more than 60,000 thefts, 9,213 murders, and a total of 2.8 lakh cognizable crimes. Criminal cases have shown a consistent increase since 2020."
The political blame game shows no signs of abating as both parties leverage this tragic event to critique governance and public safety in the state.
