“Has Birsa Munda Jail Become a Hub for a Mafia Syndicate?” — BJP Raises Serious Questions Regarding Sexual Exploitation, Abortion, and Tampering with Evidence
Ranchi: For the second consecutive day, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a scathing attack on the state government over the Birsa Munda Jail scandal. During a press conference, BJP State Spokesperson Ajay Sah leveled serious allegations against Jail Superintendent Kumar Chandrashekhar and the jail administration, demanding a judicial inquiry into the entire matter.
Ajay Sah alleged that attempts were made to sexually exploit a female inmate, induce an abortion, and destroy evidence. He stated that the haste with which efforts were made to cover up the case and eliminate evidence clearly suggests that this is not merely the act of an individual, but a case involving the collusion of the entire system.
The BJP spokesperson claimed that Jail Superintendent Kumar Chandrashekhar has faced several serious allegations in the past as well. He noted that during his posting in Deoghar, a female teacher—and subsequently a female Home Guard personnel—had accused him of sexual exploitation. Furthermore, his name has surfaced in connection with other controversies, including providing patronage to notorious criminal Vikas Tiwari while posted at Hazaribagh Jail.
Ajay Sah raised the pertinent question: if no sexual exploitation had occurred involving the female inmate, why was it deemed necessary to conduct a pregnancy test on May 17? He asserted that the statement provided by the jail physician makes it evident that the woman was pregnant on April 14, and that an abortion was subsequently performed clandestinely in an attempt to conceal the entire episode.
He also took aim at Inspector General of Prisons Sudarshan Mandal, alleging that attempts were made to suppress the matter at the administrative level. Terming the incident as “custodial rape,” the BJP asserted that such an occurrence involving a female inmate is an extremely grave matter and constitutes a gross violation of human rights.
The BJP demanded that, to ensure an impartial investigation, Jail Superintendent Kumar Chandrashekhar and Inspector General of Prisons Sudarshan Mandal be suspended with immediate effect. The party warned that as long as these two officials remain in their posts, the risk of evidence tampering and undue pressure being exerted on the victim will persist. Ajay Sah further alleged that even the Ranchi district administration was not informed of the incident in a timely manner, thereby proving that government oversight over the jail administration has weakened. The BJP alleges that the Birsa Munda Jail has now become a safe haven for mafia gangs and criminals.
Demanding a judicial inquiry into the entire matter, the party stated that the issue would also be raised before the National Commission for Women, the Human Rights Commission, and the Minorities Commission. BJP State Co-Media In-charge Ashok Baraik was also present at the press conference.
