Police in Ranchi have registered an FIR naming 19 people after a 20-year-old former undertrial alleged that he was sexually assaulted three times while lodged at Birsa Munda Central Jail, with the complaint also accusing jail officials of conspiracy and dereliction of duty. The case was registered on Thursday evening following intervention by the Ranchi District Legal Services Authority (DLSA).
The FIR names several inmates accused of direct involvement in the alleged assaults, as well as the jail superintendent, a ward in-charge and a medical officer, according to reports based on the complaint. DSP (Sadar) Sanjeev Besra said the case had been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and that the allegations were being investigated.
The former undertrial’s father alleged that the incidents occurred during Shivratri, Ram Navami and Sarhul. According to the complaint, the group allegedly forced his son to wear a saree and called him “Parvati” during the first incident. The complaint alleges that he was made to consume liquor, became unconscious and was then sexually assaulted. It further alleges that the same group made him wear a saree and called him “Sita” during the second incident before another assault took place. A similar incident was alleged during Sarhul.
The former undertrial was acquitted by a Ranchi court on June 12. His father’s complaint also alleges that his son sought help inside the prison but that a written complaint was destroyed. It further alleges that he was denied medical treatment for injuries sustained during the alleged assaults.
After his release, the former undertrial reportedly received treatment at the Central Institute of Psychiatry in Ranchi. The source report does not provide details of the medical findings or identify whether any forensic examination was conducted.
The DLSA said in a statement issued on Friday that the survivor approached the authority after police allegedly failed to register his complaint. The authority said it forwarded his application to the police and senior officers, after which the FIR was registered. It also said that the survivor and his family were counselled, an advocate was appointed to assist them and compensation had been sought.
The case has also brought the functioning of prison oversight and complaint mechanisms into focus. The allegations include not only assaults by inmates but also claims that prison officials failed to respond to complaints and medical needs. These claims remain part of the investigation and have not been established by a court.
Inspector General of Prisons Sudarshan Prasad Mandal said the matter was under investigation. Jail superintendent Chandrashekhar denied being informed about the alleged assaults and said the survivor had not raised the issue with him or with officers who visited the prison.
The police investigation will determine the circumstances of the alleged assaults, the role of the individuals named in the FIR and whether any official negligence or suppression of complaints occurred. The DLSA’s legal assistance and compensation request are the next stated steps in the matter.
