Jharkhand HC Takes Suo Motu Cognisance of Alleged Sexual Assault of Female Inmate by Jail Superintendent [Read Order]

Jharkhand: A Division Bench of the Jharkhand High Court, comprising Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay and Justice Pradeep Kumar Srivastava, has taken suo motu cognisance of allegations of sexual exploitation of a female inmate at Birsa Munda Central Jail, Hotwar, Ranchi, purportedly committed by the Superintendent of the Jail himself, resulting in the inmate’s pregnancy and alleged attempts to terminate the foetus.

The Court has registered the matter as W.P. (PIL) No. 3892 of 2026 and directed the Director General of Police, Jharkhand, to file a sworn affidavit within two weeks.

The Public Interest Litigation was initiated by the Court on its own motion, taking note of newspaper reports as well as a letter addressed by the Leader of Opposition to the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court, both of which brought to light the alleged misconduct. The reports further indicate that the perpetrator and higher officials attempted to suppress the matter, raising concerns not only about the original offence but also about the integrity of any internal response that may have followed.

The Court expressed deep concern at the nature of the allegations, observing that the person entrusted with custodial responsibility over the inmates — the Superintendent of the Jail — stood accused of being the very predator against those in his charge. The Bench characterised the matter as one of such magnitude as to require a proper and detailed response from the State regarding the steps, if any, that had been taken to verify the truthfulness of the allegations.

The Court accordingly directed the Government Advocate-I, Mr. Mrinal Kanti Roy, to file an affidavit sworn by the Director General of Police, for which two weeks’ time was granted. The matter has been listed for further hearing on 8 June 2026.

Case Title: Court on its own motion v. State of Jharkhand & Others (W.P. (PIL) No. 3892 of 2026)

[Read Order]