Jharkhand HC Takes Suo Motu Cognisance of Alleged Sexual Exploitation of Female Inmate by Birsa Munda Jail Superintendent

The Jharkhand High Court has registered a PIL on its own motion after reports alleged that the Superintendent of Birsa Munda Central Jail sexually exploited a female inmate, causing pregnancy, with attempts to suppress the matter.

A Division Bench of the High Court of Jharkhand at Ranchi, comprising Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay and Justice Pradeep Kumar Srivastava, registered a suo motu Public Interest Litigation on 22 May 2026 after newspaper reports and a letter from the Leader of Opposition to the Chief Justice brought to light allegations of serious custodial abuse at Birsa Munda Central Jail, Hotwar, Ranchi. The allegations state that the Superintendent of the jail sexually exploited a female inmate, that the exploitation resulted in her becoming pregnant, and that attempts were made to terminate the foetus. The bench also noted reports that the perpetrator and senior officials had attempted to suppress the incident. Treating the matter as one of significant public concern, the court directed the State to file a sworn affidavit from the Director General of Police within two weeks.

Allegations That Triggered the PIL

The PIL was not filed by any private litigant. It was registered by the court itself after two sources placed the allegations on record: published newspaper reports and a letter addressed by the Leader of Opposition directly to the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court.

According to those reports, the Superintendent of Birsa Munda Central Jail, the very official charged with the welfare of inmates, is alleged to have sexually exploited a female prisoner in his custody. The exploitation is said to have resulted in pregnancy. The reports further allege that efforts were made to terminate the foetus and that both the alleged perpetrator and higher officials worked to hush up the incident.

The bench described the Superintendent's role in stark terms, observing that “the custodian of the welfare of the inmates has been alleged to have become the predator.”

Why the Court Intervened Directly

The bench framed the matter as one of such magnitude that it required a direct and detailed response from the State. The court did not treat the newspaper reports as conclusive; it directed the State to respond specifically on what steps had been taken to verify the truth or otherwise of the allegations.

The respondents arrayed before the court reflect the seriousness with which the bench approached the matter. The State of Jharkhand through the Principal Secretary, Department of Home, Prison and Disaster Management; the Director General of Police, Jharkhand; the Inspector General of Prisons, Jharkhand; the Deputy Commissioner, Ranchi; the Senior Superintendent of Police, Ranchi; and the Jail Superintendent, Birsa Munda Central Jail, Hotwar, Ranchi have all been made opposite parties.

By directing an affidavit sworn specifically by the Director General of Police, the bench ensured that the State's response would come from a senior officer with direct accountability over the police investigation, rather than through a routine government pleader's submission.

Outcome

The bench directed Mr. Mrinal Kanti Roy, Government Advocate Grade I, to file an affidavit sworn by the Director General of Police, Jharkhand, within two weeks. The matter has been listed for further hearing on 8 June 2026. A copy of the order was directed to be handed over to the learned Government Advocate.