Ranchi, October 21, 2026: BJP Jharkhand State Spokesperson K.K. Gupta has criticised the Hemant Soren government over the law-and-order situation in the state, alleging that criminal activities are increasing and criminals are becoming increasingly fearless. Referring to the reported attack on Father Benedict Barla in Khunti, the discovery of a body inside the toilet of the Mumbai–Shalimar train at Chakradharpur railway station, and a firing incident in Jamshedpur, Gupta said that such incidents raise serious questions about public safety and the effectiveness of the state’s law-enforcement machinery. He alleged that fear and insecurity are growing among people in both urban and rural areas.
Gupta claimed that incidents of murder, rape, kidnapping, theft, chain snatching, robbery, firing, extortion, illegal drug trafficking, and land-related crimes are on the rise in Jharkhand. Citing figures in his press statement, he claimed that between 2020 and 2026, the state recorded 9,213 murder cases, 10,113 rape cases, 11,000 kidnapping cases, and 60,000 theft cases. He also expressed concern over alleged dowry harassment, illegal mining, and extortion by land mafias. These figures have been attributed to the BJP spokesperson’s statement and require verification against official government records.
The BJP spokesperson further alleged that the state government has failed to effectively control crime and ensure accountability within the administration. He claimed that organised criminal activities and illegal drug networks are expanding, while ordinary citizens and business owners are increasingly concerned about their safety. Gupta demanded stronger policing, strict action against criminals, effective measures to curb extortion and drug trafficking, and greater accountability from the administration. He urged the Hemant Soren government to take concrete steps to restore public confidence and ensure a safe environment for residents across Jharkhand.
