Allegations of Gang-Rape Inside Ranchi Jail Raise Serious Security Concerns

Serious Allegations Emerge from Birsa Munda Central Jail

Ranchi, Nov 13: The security measures and administrative operations at Birsa Munda Central Jail in Hotwar, Ranchi, are under scrutiny following shocking claims that a 20-year-old undertrial prisoner was drugged and gang-raped on three different occasions within the facility.

An FIR has been filed at Khelgaon police station, naming 19 individuals, including the jail superintendent, the medical officer, a ward in-charge, and several police personnel, in connection with these allegations. In response to the situation, the police have assigned the investigation to the Ranchi City SP for a comprehensive inquiry.

As per police sources and the FIR, the victim, who hails from the MECON Colony area near Kathal More under Ratu police station, was incarcerated as an undertrial in a criminal case. He was released on June 12 after being acquitted by a court in Ranchi.

Following the traumatic events, the victim is reportedly experiencing severe psychological distress and is currently receiving treatment at the Central Institute of Psychiatry in Kanke, Ranchi.

After a period of deep shock, the victim disclosed his harrowing experience to his family, who then reported the matter to the police.

The written complaint filed at Khelgaon police station alleges that a group of inmates assaulted him on three separate occasions, specifically during the nights of significant festivals: Maha Shivratri, Ram Navami, and Sarhul.

According to the allegations, the victim was coerced into consuming drugs, forced to wear women's clothing, including a sari, and subsequently sexually assaulted multiple times. The complaint states that he suffered severe bleeding and sustained both physical and psychological injuries due to the assaults.

The FIR categorizes the 19 accused into two groups. The first group consists of several inmates from Wards 14 and 15, along with a canteen worker. Notable names include Pintu, Arvind Gupta, Sahil Ansari, and others.

The second group includes the jail superintendent, the ward in-charge, the medical officer, and police personnel identified as Singh and Santosh Oraon, who are accused of negligence in their duties, protecting the offenders, and attempting to cover up the incident.

The complaint further alleges that when the victim sought assistance from the ward in-charge, he was met with abuse, and his written complaint was destroyed.

Additionally, when the victim sought medical help for his injuries, the medical officer allegedly mistreated him and refused to provide necessary care.

It is also claimed that no required medical examination was conducted prior to his release on June 12, which is a breach of established protocols, likely to hide the incident.

The police are actively investigating these serious allegations.