Ankita murder case in Dumka: Political slugfest continues; DSP accused of negligence suspended

A horrific murder case reported from Jharkhand's Dumka district has left the nation in shock. The incident allegedly involved a jilted lover, who set a girl on fire after she did not reciprocate his proposal.

The girl succumbed to her burn injuries on Sunday, which evoked angry reactions from people and many took to streets in Jharkhand. The Jharkhand High Court has taken cognizance of the case. Meanwhile, political slugfest continues over negligence and alleged cover-up of the incident.

Following allegations of negligence and protecting the perpetrator of crime, DSP Noor Mustafa of Dumka has been suspended.


Shocking incident
Reportedly, the accused in the case is a man named Shahrukh, who used to stalk Ankita and he allegedly poured petrol and set her on fire on August 23.

A student of class 12, Ankita Kumari had been first admitted to Phulo Jhano Medical College and Hospital in Dumka in critical condition. Later she was referred to Ranchi's Rajendra Institute of Medical Science (RIMS) for better treatment. She succumbed to her burn injuries in the early hours of Sunday, August 28.

As the incident came to light, many people protested on the streets against police in Dumka and demanded swift action against the accused.

While speaking to ANI, Dumka Superintendent of police (SP) Ambar Lakda said, "The accused Shahrukh has been arrested. We will apply at a fast track court for a fast trial. People are cooperating with us. We appeal to people to maintain peace. The situation is under control and Section 144 has been imposed."

Meanwhile, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has already ordered the Dumka administration to provide an assistance of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of the victim.

According to the Chief Minister's Office, Soren also directed the proceedings against the accused arrested to be done from the fast-track court.

The Director General of Police has also been directed to give an early report on the progress of research by the ADG rank officer in the said case.

Soren on Monday assured the "earliest" punishment to the accused who have been arrested in the case of a girl who succumbed after being set ablaze in Dumka. and also called for laws to "further strengthen the existing laws for such incidents".

Meanwhile, the opposition BJP accused the Soren government of 'appeasement', besides failure to maintain law and order. “The DSP was trying to protect the accused initially as he belongs to a particular community. Action must be taken against him,” said ex-CM and BJP legislature party chief Babulal Marandi.

State BJP chief Deepak Prakash questioned why none from the JMM-led coalition had met the family yet. BJP’s Kapil Mishra said he would begin a crowd-funding drive to raise funds for the girl’s kin. While promising a speedy probe and trial, health minister Gupta accused BJP of trying to give the crime a communal colour. “Crimes don’t have any religion. But bringing religion into everything is in BJP’s DNA,” he said.