The sensational murder of 17 year old girl Ankita Singh in Dumka by a youth Shahrukh Hussain has shocked the political class alike as protests were observed across the State with the incident made a headline in the national media.
Ankita Kumari, who was being treated at a hospital in Jharkhand after a neighbour named Shahrukh Hussain poured petrol on her and set fire to her four days ago, died on Sunday in hospital.
On Monday, Opposition BJP sharpened its attack on JMM/Congress government for its “appeasement policy”, the State Government witnessing the situation condemning the incident announced compensation for the bereaved family members.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren has announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh to the family of the victim. Along with this, the investigation report has been sought from the DGP Neeraj Sinha soon. The CM has also directed the matter to be heard in the fast-track court. The DGP has also been directed to give an early report on the progress of the investigation by an SP rank officer.
Meanwhile, Naeem alias Chhotu Khan, the second culprit in the murder of Ankita in Dumka, has been apprehended by police in Jharkhand. Naeem was absconding after the incident. The primary accused, Shahrukh Hussain, was apprehended by police on August 23.
A video of him being arrested has gone viral on social media in which Shahrukh is seen smiling unrepentantly and having no regrets about the heinous crime he had committed.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that SDPO Noor Mustafa Khan has been removed as the Investigation Officer from the case. There were protests from the locals regarding negligence by SDPO Noor Mustafa in investigating the case. Reports also suggest that former Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das accused Noor Mustafa of being involved with the radical Islamist organisation Popular Front of India (PFI).
The BJP-led opposition lambasted Chief Minister Hemant Soren for not being sensitive to the issue of women safety. Former chief minister and BJP leader Babulal Marandi said that the CM was so busy enjoying his picnic party that he had no time to save this girl. He further said that while the state government can arrange an air ambulance for riot accused, no such facility was provided to airlift Ankita to AIIMS in Delhi. Babulal Marandi accused DSP Noor Mustafa for protecting the accused Shahrukh. He is also set to meet the family of the victim in Dumka.
Rekha Sharma, Chairperson of the National Commission for Women on Monday directed Jharkhand DGP Neeraj Sinha for action taken reports regarding brutal murder of Ankita in Dumka by the accused Shahrukh.
“Since arrest has already been made, we asked the Jharkhand DGP for an action taken report. There is a mindset that you forcefully ask a woman to marry you and if she refuses, set her ablaze. It is pathetic. There should be conversation on this,” said the NCW chief.