A 20-year-old former undertrial inmate of Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi has accused fellow prisoners and jail staff of subjecting him to repeated sexual assault during his incarceration. Following the intervention of the Ranchi District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), local police registered an FIR on Thursday evening against 19 individuals.
The father of the survivor filed the complaint, alleging that the assaults took place during the festivals of Shivratri, Ram Navami, and Sarhul. According to the complaint, the accused forced the young man to wear a saree and called him by female names, including "Parvati" and "Sita," before subjecting him to assault. The victim further alleged that he was made to consume alcohol until he lost consciousness, enabling the attacks.
The FIR implicates several jail officials, including the jail superintendent, a ward in-charge, and a medical officer, citing conspiracy and dereliction of duty. The victim, who was acquitted by a local court on June 12, claimed he attempted to report the abuse while in custody, but his written complaints were destroyed and he was denied medical treatment for his injuries. Following his release, the survivor reportedly sought medical care at the Central Institute of Psychiatry in Ranchi.
DSP (Sadar) Sanjeev Besra confirmed that the case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and an investigation is currently underway. Meanwhile, jail superintendent Chandrashekhar denied having any knowledge of the incidents, stating that the survivor did not raise these concerns with him or other visiting officers during his time in the prison.
Key facts
- A total of 19 people were named in the FIR, including jail officials and fellow inmates.
- The alleged assaults occurred during the Shivratri, Ram Navami, and Sarhul festivals.
- The victim was released from custody following an acquittal by a Ranchi court on June 12.
- The DLSA provided the survivor with legal counsel and has sought compensation for him.
- Jail superintendent Chandrashekhar denied receiving any complaints from the survivor during his incarceration.
Why it matters
The District Legal Services Authority intervened to facilitate the registration of the FIR after the survivor and his family reported that initial attempts to approach the police were unsuccessful. The authority has since provided the survivor with counseling, appointed an advocate to assist with the case, and formally requested compensation on his behalf.
Source: Times of India
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