Daijiworld Media Network - Ranchi
Ranchi, Nov 13: Serious questions have been raised over security arrangements and administrative functioning at Birsa Munda Central Jail in Hotwar, Ranchi, following allegations that a 20-year-old undertrial prisoner was drugged and gang-raped on three separate occasions inside the prison.
An FIR naming 19 people, including the jail superintendent, the medical officer of the jail hospital, a ward in-charge and police personnel, was registered at Khelgaon police station late on Wednesday evening. Following the allegations, the police administration handed over the investigation to the Ranchi City SP for a detailed probe.
According to police sources and the FIR, the victim belongs to MECON Colony near Kathal More, under the jurisdiction of Ratu police station. He was lodged at Hotwar jail as an undertrial prisoner in a criminal case and was released on June 12 after being acquitted by a Ranchi court.
The victim is reportedly suffering from severe psychological trauma following the alleged sexual assaults and inhuman treatment inside the prison. Considering his fragile mental condition, he is currently undergoing treatment at the Central Institute of Psychiatry in Kanke, Ranchi.
After remaining in a state of deep shock for a considerable period, the victim recently narrated his ordeal to his family members, following which they approached the police and lodged a complaint.
According to the written complaint submitted at Khelgaon police station, a group of inmates allegedly assaulted the victim on three separate occasions, coinciding with the nights of Maha Shivratri, Ram Navami and Sarhul.
The accused allegedly forced the 20-year-old to consume an intoxicating substance, dressed him in women's clothing, including a sari, and sexually assaulted him one after another. The complaint further alleges that the victim suffered severe bleeding from his private parts and sustained serious physical and psychological injuries due to the assaults and physical violence.
The 19 accused have been named in two categories in the FIR. The first category comprises several inmates from Wards 14 and 15, along with a canteen worker. They have been identified as Pintu, Arvind Gupta, Sahil Ansari, Sahil Shah, Rabisar Lohra, Pawan (canteen worker), Mantu, Dhaneshwar Badhai, Shiv Oraon, Ballu, Rehan Golu, Golu Sao and Pogo.
The second category includes the jail superintendent, ward in-charge, medical officer of the jail hospital and police personnel identified as Singh and Santosh Oraon. They have been accused of gross negligence in discharging their official duties, shielding the alleged perpetrators and attempting to suppress the incident.
The complaint further alleges that when the victim submitted a written complaint to the ward in-charge seeking assistance, he was abused and his letter was torn up and discarded.
It also alleges that when he approached the jail hospital after suffering bleeding injuries, the medical officer misbehaved with him and refused to provide treatment.
Further, the complaint alleges that no mandatory medical examination was conducted before his release on June 12, allegedly in violation of prescribed jail rules and procedures and with the intention of concealing the incident.
Police are investigating the allegations. All allegations against the accused are yet to be established.