In a significant move for justice, the Jharkhand High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the brutal rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Hazaribagh. Expressing deep anguish over the "lethargic attitude" of the state police, a Division Bench comprising Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad and Justice Anubha Rawat Choudhary has demanded an immediate response from the State Home Secretary, the DGP, and the Hazaribagh SP.The Horrific Incident: A Community in ShockThe victim, a 12-year-old girl from the Bishnugarh police station area, was allegedly abducted on the night of March 24, 2026, while returning from a religious procession with her mother. Her body was discovered the following morning in a nearby field, bearing marks of extreme physical violence.Brutality: Preliminary reports suggest the victim was subjected to unspeakable torture, including severe injuries to her private parts and physical trauma.Protests: The brutality sparked a 12-hour bandh in Hazaribagh, with schools, markets, and businesses shutting down voluntarily to demand the immediate arrest of the culprits.High Court’s Tough Questions for the PoliceDuring the hearing on Monday, the court summoned the Hazaribagh SP via virtual mode and raised several critical questions regarding the investigation:Why No Arrests? Even six days after the FIR was filed on March 25, the main suspect remains at large. The court dismissed the police's excuse that "Ram Navami duties" hampered the investigation.Forensic Delay: The bench questioned why the victim's clothing and samples had not been sent for forensic examination (FSL) immediately.Safety of the Family: The court has directed the state to provide adequate security to the victim's mother, a daily wage worker, who reportedly faced threats to tamper with evidence.Political Heat & Government ResponseThe incident has triggered a massive political showdown in Jharkhand. While the opposition BJP has threatened a state-wide bandh on April 3 if the culprits aren't nabbed, the state government has announced an initial compensation of ₹1 lakh for the family. A three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by DGP Tadasha Mishra, has been formed to fast-track the probe.Court's Stance: "This is a sensitive matter concerning the safety of a female child. The delay in arrest even after six days is unacceptable," the bench noted before transferring the case to the Chief Justice for further proceedings.
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