Ranchi: Referring to a recent string of alleged sexual offences across Jharkhand, including one involving Simdega MLA Bhushan Bara, leader of opposition Babulal Marandi on Saturday hit out at the state govt by alleging that neither the jails, police stations and official residences of lawmakers were safe anymore.Speaking on the allegations that an undertrial was sexually assaulted in Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Central Jail earlier this year, Marandi said, “A prison is supposed to be among the safest places. Yet inmates themselves were unsafe. According to reports, the survivor was also denied proper medical treatment.”Referring to Bara, who was booked a day earlier for allegedly raping a minor girl at his govt residence in Ranchi, Marandi said, “Criminal cases had previously been registered against the MLA but no action was taken.”He further said, “A report submitted by the state govt to the Jharkhand high court had indicated that 427 deaths had occurred in police and judicial custody in Jharkhand up to 2026. This is an extremely serious matter. The govt must clarify what action has been taken against those responsible for these deaths.”Congress accused Marandi of politicising an ongoing investigation. Rakesh Sinha, party spokesperson, said, “Allegations against any individual must be investigated impartially and that guilt cannot be presumed before completion of the probe. The law should be allowed to take its course and, if charges are proved, strict action should follow,” Sinha said.
