Dumka Girl Death: Jharkhand HC Takes Cognizance, Summons DGP. Police Form SIT To Probe Matter

Meanwhile, the Jharkhand Police formed a Special Investigation Team to oversee the case, said an official. The 10-member SIT will be headed by the Superintendent of Police. 

Activists of Jharkhand Youth Bigrade raise slogans during a protest after the death of a class-12 student, who was allegedly set on fire by a man in Jharkhand's Dumka district.

New Delhi: The Jharkhand High Court on Tuesday took cognizance of the Dumka school girl murder case where a man had set ablaze a class 12th girl who later succunmbed to her injuries, reported news agency ANI. The Court summoned the Jharkhand Director General of Police and sought a report on the matter. 

The Court also directed to provide adequate security to the victim’s family. 

Meanwhile, the Jharkhand Police formed a Special Investigation Team to oversee the case, said an official, quoted by the news agency. The 10-member SIT will be headed by the Superintendent of Police. 

Jharkhand High Court takes cognizance of the Dumka school girl murder case, summons DGP and seeks a report on the matter. The court also instructs to provide adequate security to the girl's family.

— ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2022

"An SIT has been formed which will be headed by the Superintendent of Police. Seeing the seriousness of the case, supervision will be done by the Superintendent of Police. Till now two accused have been arrested. Investigation from every aspect is being done," ML Meena, ADG Headquarters, Jharkhand Police said. 

SP Mandal, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Dumka said: "Evidence is being collected by the forensics team.The case will be supervised by the Superintendent of Police. This is a serious case.”

On August 23, Ankita Singh a class 12th girl was set ablaze following which she was rushed to Ranchi’s Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences where she succumbed to her injuries and was cremated on Monday morning. The girl was set on fire for allegedly turning down a proposal after which she was set ablaze by pouring petrol on her.

The accused had allegedly poured petrol on the girl through the window of her home, while she was asleep after which they set the woman on fire. 

Severe protests by the locals ensued the incident after which Section 144 was imposed. One accused, identified as Shahrukh was arrested on August 23 while another one identified as Naeem alias Chhotu Khan was nabbed by the Police on Monday. 

Following the incident, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday directed the Dumka administration to provide assistance of Rupees 10 lakh to the bereaved family of the girl. 

As per Chief Minister’s Office, Soren also directed the proceedings against the accused to be done from the fast-track court. The DGP has also been directed to give an early report on the progress of research by the ADG rank officer in the said case. 

Meanwhile, Soren on Monday assured the “earliest” punishment to the arrested accused and also called for laws to “further strengthen the existing laws for such incidents.”