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Shocking Rape-Murder of 12-Year-Old Ignites Jharkhand HC Fury: Court Slams Police, Launches Suo Motu Probe
In a scathing indictment of police inaction, the has taken of the brutal rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Hazaribagh district. A Division Bench comprising Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad and Justice Anubha Rawat Choudhary lambasted the authorities for their "lethargic attitude," ordering immediate steps to expedite the investigation and protect the victim's family. The case, registered as W.P.(PIL) No. 2172 of 2026 ( ), stemmed from a newspaper report that exposed shocking lapses just days after the crime.
From Brick Kiln Shadows to Courtroom Spotlight
The nightmare unfolded on , in the Vishnugarh Police Station area of Hazaribagh. A 12-year-old girl, daughter of a brick kiln worker, was raped, her tongue severed, and her private parts savagely assaulted before her murder. An FIR was filed the next day, on , but by , when the story broke in the Hindi daily Hindustan , no arrests had been made. flagged the report during court proceedings on , highlighting threats to the victim's mother—who scrapes by at the kiln—and alleged attempts to coerce her into tampering with evidence.
Media reports echoed these concerns, noting the District Legal Services Authority's (DLSA) prompt push for FIR registration and investigation, yet the police drag continued. The court swiftly converted this into a , pulling in key stakeholders virtually.
Police on the Dock: 'What Type of Investigation Is This?'
The Superintendent of Police (SP), Hazaribagh, Anjani Anjan , appeared via video link. He admitted no arrests despite five days elapsed, claiming reliance on mobile location data via a technical team. Samples from the victim had been collected, post-mortem videographed per protocol, but crucially, not forwarded to the —pending court permission.
Counsel Shikarwar countered sharply: no such permission is needed; it's the investigating officer's duty to send samples immediately to prevent manipulation. The Bench agreed, viewing the delay as a red flag.
"Keeping the samples in the possession of the investigating officer appears that the investigating officer is not properly proceeding,"
the order noted. The SP's explanations fell flat, prompting the court to question:
"What type of investigation is being conducted since in such a
, even after lapse of 05 days, the culprit has not been arrested."
Member Secretary Anjana Asthana joined virtually, confirming DLSA's early intervention urging police action.
Judicial Hammer Falls: Directives to Shake Up the System
The court didn't mince words on the probe's inadequacies:
"The investigation which ought to have been conducted so as to get hold of the culprit has not been conducted properly."
Before escalating to the Chief Justice, it issued pointed orders:
- Notices to Home Secretary, DGP Jharkhand, and SP Hazaribagh for affidavits.
- DGP to probe and explain the forensic delay via affidavit.
- to coordinate with DLSA and investigators to safeguard evidence.
Witness safety took center stage:
"Security of the family members of the deceased victim and important witnesses is of utmost importance."
The SP was warned of
for any harm to them.
The Hindustan clipping was annexed, and the matter listed before the Chief Justice. AAG Sachin Kumar and assistants represented the state.
Key Observations -
"This Court, considering the sensitivity of the issue, particularly the commission of rape of a female child aged about 12 years and thereafter her brutal murder and lethargic attitude of the police, has thought it proper to take cognizance of the occurrence..."
-
"What type of investigation is being conducted since in such a
, even after lapse of 05 days, the culprit has not been arrested."
-
"Keeping the samples in the possession of the investigating officer appears that the investigating officer is not properly proceeding."
-
"If any untoward incidence happens with the family members of the deceased victim and important witnesses, then, it will be the
of the S.P., Hazaribagh."
Ripple Effects: A Blueprint for High-Profile Probes?
This intervention underscores judicial oversight in child atrocity cases, prioritizing swift forensics, arrests, and protection amid tampering fears. By mandating affidavits and coordination, it aims to plug investigative gaps, potentially setting a precedent for monitoring sensitive crimes. For the victim's family, it's a shield against intimidation; for police, a stark reminder that lethargy invites accountability. As the PIL advances, eyes remain on Hazaribagh for breakthroughs—and justice.
