Court Criticizes Police Inaction in Rape and Murder of 12-Year-Old, Directs Immediate Steps for Justice
In a significant judicial intervention, the Jharkhand High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the brutal rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Hazaribagh, highlighting serious lapses in police investigation. The incident, which has shocked the conscience of the community, involves the gruesome attack on a young girl, whose tongue was cut and body severely assaulted, as reported by a local newspaper.
The court was alerted to the incident through a news report published on March 29, 2026, detailing the crime that occurred on March 24, 2026, with the First Information Report (FIR) filed the following day. Despite the FIR, the police had not made any arrests by the time the court convened, raising concerns over the lethargic pace of the investigation.
During the proceedings, the court was informed that the victim's family, particularly her mother, who works at a brick kiln, faced threats and coercion, potentially aimed at tampering with evidence. This prompted the court to stress the need for immediate action to protect the victim's family and ensure the integrity of evidence.
The bench, comprising Justices Sujit Narayan Prasad and Anubha Rawat Choudhary, directed the registration of a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to monitor the case. The court sought the involvement of the Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority (JHALSA) to coordinate with local authorities and ensure that the investigation proceeds without interference.
The court questioned the Superintendent of Police (SP), Hazaribagh, about the lack of arrests and the delay in sending crucial evidence to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL). The SP admitted that although samples were collected, they had not yet been dispatched to the FSL, citing procedural requirements for court permission—an assertion the court refuted, insisting that the investigation officer has the authority to expedite the process.
The court issued several directives, including:
1. Notices to the Secretary, Home; Director General of Police (D.G.P.), Jharkhand; and SP, Hazaribagh, requiring affidavits on investigation lapses.
2. Immediate dispatch of collected samples to the FSL, with accountability for delays placed on the D.G.P.
3. Coordination by JHALSA to prevent evidence tampering, involving the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) in overseeing the investigation.
4. Ensuring the safety of the victim's family and key witnesses, with the SP held personally accountable for any threats or harm that might occur.
The court's decisive action underscores the judiciary's role in upholding justice, especially in cases involving vulnerable victims and apparent lapses by law enforcement. The case will next be reviewed by the Chief Justice to ensure continued oversight and swift justice.
Bottom Line:
Suo motu cognizance of heinous crime involving rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl, highlighting police inaction and need for prompt investigation, protection of victim's family, and preservation of evidence.
Statutory provision(s): Criminal Law, Evidence, Public Interest Litigation
Court on its own Motion v. State of Jharkhand, (Jharkhand)(DB) : Law Finder Doc id # 2874915
