Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced on Tuesday that the Central Bureau of Investigation will probe the death of tribal activist Nisha Bhagat. “The CBI will now investigate the Nisha Bhagat case. Orders have been issued,” he said in a post on X. The state government has issued formal orders.
What Happened
Bhagat, around 38, was found dead at her rented accommodation in the Pithoria police station area of Ranchi on November 6. Shortly before, she had gone live on Facebook for nearly 10 minutes. In the video, she accused local land mafias, government officials and police of inaction on her harassment complaints. Her death is being treated as an alleged suicide, which her father has questioned.
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Family and Political Demands
Her father, Handu Bhagat, said he was confident a CBI probe would happen and called the recommendation “a step toward justice.” He asked that officials be chosen carefully so the probe stays impartial. Her mother, Devika Bhagat, alleged her daughter faced threats and pressure from Ajay Tirkey and his associates.
The BJP, including Union MoS Sanjay Seth, demanded a CBI probe and the arrest of administrative personnel named by her. Protests were held in Gumla on November 7.
What Police Have Done
Before the CBI announcement, Ranchi Police registered an unnatural death case, carried out a forensic sweep and had a medical board at RIMS conduct the post-mortem. A Special Investigation Team under DSP (headquarters) Amar Pandey was examining her allegations, the named FIR and the role of police personnel. Police said the allegations that the Pithoria SHO ignored earlier written complaints are under active investigation.
