HC Takes Suo Motu Cognizance of Spanish Tourist Gang Rape in Jharkhand

The Jharkhand High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the gang rape of a Spanish woman in Dumka district and directed the state government to submit a report on the incident.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Navneet Kumar has issued notices to the Director General of Police (DGP), chief secretary, and the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Dumka in this matter. The court is scheduled to reconvene on March 7.

Advocate Ritu Kumar brought the incident to the bench’s attention and presented various news reports on the matter, prompting the court to take notice. Furthermore, Ritu Kumar has been appointed as amicus curiae in the case. The bench has also instructed the Dumka SP to submit an affidavit detailing the actions taken against the perpetrators of this egregious crime.

The court emphasized the potential national and international ramifications of any form of crime against a foreign national, particularly one of a sexual nature, which could adversely affect the country’s tourism and global image. Additionally, the court inquired whether the Spanish woman was provided with a translator during the recording of her statement with the police and whether forensic investigations related to the rape have commenced.

In the meantime, the Dumka district administration has provided a compensation of ₹10 lakh to the survivor’s husband.

The incident occurred on Friday in the Kurumahat area of the Hansdiha police station, approximately 300 km from the state capital Ranchi, where the couple was camping in a tent. The 28-year-old woman and her 64-year-old husband had traveled from Bangladesh to Dumka on two motorcycles and were en route to Nepal via Bihar.

Deputy Commissioner A Dodde stated that the couple will depart Dumka on Tuesday under police protection and assured them of any necessary assistance. The survivor’s husband expressed gratitude for the prompt actions of the police.

Three individuals have been apprehended thus far, with a search ongoing for the remaining four suspects.