Jharkhand Recruitment Protest: Case Filed Against 38 Over Alleged Molestation Of Activist

Police have registered a case against 38 people for allegedly molesting a member of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch during a protest against alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations, officials said on Tuesday. The alleged incident took place during a procession near Albert Ekka Chowk in Ranchi on August 21.

The case was lodged on Monday after the woman, accompanied by Jharkhand Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Babulal Marandi, approached the Kotwali police station and submitted a complaint. Kotwali police station officer-in-charge Sanoj Choudhary said eight people have been named in the FIR, while 30 others have been booked without being identified. The accused have been charged with molestation and other provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

According to the woman, protesters were holding a peaceful procession over alleged recruitment examination anomalies and were attempting to burn effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi when the incident occurred. She alleged that around eight identified people and more than 30 unidentified individuals assaulted and molested her during the demonstration. The allegations are part of the police investigation and the accused have not been convicted.

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Marandi condemned the alleged incident and accused members of the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha of targeting students who were raising their concerns through a democratic protest. He said the BJP stood firmly with the students and would support their struggle. Marandi, along with other BJP leaders, later reached the office of the Circle Officer-cum-Magistrate, Ranchi Sadar, and demanded that an FIR also be registered against those he accused of disrupting the protest.

Marandi alleged that the magistrate on duty during the August 21 demonstration had taken one-sided action. He claimed that cases were being registered against students while no FIR had been filed against people allegedly involved in disrupting the demonstration and misbehaving with female students. He urged the magistrate-cum-CO to take impartial action and warned that the BJP would stage a dharna outside the office if an FIR was not registered. He also claimed that videos and other material circulating on social media could provide evidence about the events during the protest.

The August 21 demonstrations have resulted in several other police cases across Jharkhand. Three FIRs were registered at Ranchi's Kotwali police station against 14 named people and more than 200 unidentified individuals for allegedly obstructing government work and clashing with police. Separately, FIRs were registered in Giridih and Hazaribag districts against 39 named people and more than 900 unidentified individuals. Marandi also announced that the BJP would provide free legal assistance to students facing FIRs in connection with the protests.

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