Jharkhand HC Orders Action Report on Alleged Gang-Rape of Spanish Tourist

The Jharkhand High Court has ordered the state government to furnish a comprehensive action taken report regarding the alleged gang-rape of a foreign tourist in Dumka.

The court has also sought information about the standard operating procedure (SOP) for handling foreign tourists in the state. In the absence of an SOP, the court inquired about the government’s future plans in this regard.

The case is scheduled for further hearing on March 13.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Navneet Kumar has directed the government to outline its strategies for assisting foreign tourists visiting Jharkhand.

According to the police, a 28-year-old woman was reportedly gang-raped in the Kurumahat area of the Hansdiha Police Station on March 1 while she was camping in a tent with her husband.

Taking suo motu cognizance of the incident on Monday, the court instructed the state government to submit a report. Additionally, the Dumka superintendent of police was ordered to provide a response.

However, the judges expressed dissatisfaction with the Dumka SP’s reply and demanded a detailed affidavit outlining the progress of the investigation.

The court also inquired about the procedures for screening tourists upon their arrival in the state and questioned the measures in place to support and assist such tourists.

Furthermore, the judges sought an explanation from the government regarding the actions being taken to combat the rising trend of crimes against women, directing the authorities to elucidate their efforts in this regard.

The state government informed the court that eight suspects in the case have been apprehended and that the victim has received a compensation of Rs 10 lakh.

The woman and her husband departed Dumka on March 5 to resume their world tour on two motorcycles.