Jharkhand: Tribal activist Nisha Bhagat's last rites to be held in Gumla, BJP demands CBI probe

Gumla: The mortal remains of tribal activist Nisha Kumari Bhagat, who allegedly died by suicide in Ranchi, will be cremated at her ancestral village Uru in Jharkhand's Gumla district on Saturday, family members said.

Before her death on Friday, Bhagat accused the Hemant Soren-led state government and land brokers of harassing her during a Facebook Live session.

Her death has sparked political reactions, with the opposition BJP demanding a CBI inquiry and the resignation of the chief minister.


The CPI(ML) Liberation, an ally of the ruling government, has also called for a fair investigation.

The incident has triggered anger among tribal communities.

Devendra Lal Oraon, a local Oraon tribal leader in Gumla, said a meeting was held on Saturday, where members decided to stage a symbolic protest before Bhagat's last rites.

Leaders of opposition parties are also expected to visit Gumla to pay their respects.

In the Facebook Live video, available on her profile, Bhagat is seen crying and alleging that speaking out against the state government and land brokers could put people's lives at risk.

"I should have understood this earlier... People say there is BJP, there is Congress, but there is no one... My parents will be deeply hurt. My father played his role in the Jharkhand agitation. I tried very hard to fight the administration and also tried to talk to them about security... But today I have to embrace my own death because this Hemant Soren government can humiliate women, and I cannot bear this," she said in the video.

The nearly 11-minute video abruptly cuts off, with the camera appearing to be obstructed by a green object.

"I demand a high-level inquiry into my daughter's death. The probe should be conducted by the CBI, because high-profile people are involved in this," Nisha's father Handu Bhagat told reporters on Friday night.

"An unnatural death (UD) case has been registered. No suicide note was recovered from her room. We are conducting the investigation, and further action will be taken once the post-mortem report arrives," Ranchi Rural SP Gaurav Goswami said.

He added that all aspects of the case were being investigated and the police would reach a conclusion after the probe was complete.