Jharkhand HC Expressess Distress Over Rape Cases In Jharkhand

Chief Justice (CJ) of Jharkhand High Court Justice Ravi Ranjan on Friday expressed concern over incidents of rape in Jharkhand adding he has been saddened by such incidents. He also summoned the Criminal Investigation Department Inspector General for the next hearing to question him on issues of women safety.

The division bench comprising CJ and Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh issued the order while hearing PIL (2599/2103) related to rape and murder of a six-year-old girl  in Ranchi.

It may be stated here that Rajiv Kumar, lawyer appearing in person in the PIL, had on Wednesday also filed a supplementary affidavit related to gang-rape of law student in Ranchi in the matter. He claimed that though central government has allocated Rs 9.37 crore to Jharkhand under Nirbhaya fund not a single penny had been spent by the state government.

Kumar said, "The CJ observed that even after the ghastly incident there is no light on roads leading to the university. He said that firing near the university campus took place even after the incident".

The CJ also stressed on need of equipping the police force with technology including revolving cameras for night patrolling jeeps to help spot the criminals, Kumar said. He added the CJ also emphasized on the need to publicize police helpline number conspicuously at public places.

Notably Justice Ranjan has also discussed law student gang rape incident with Jharkhand DGP and asked him to ensure that the guilty persons are convicted within the stipulated timeframe. He said that national law college is a premiere institution of Jharkhand and it requires proper environment for growth.

It may be stated here that 12 persons had forcibly taken away a  law student from a bus stop and gang raped her in Ranchi on November 27.