Ranchi, October 1 (Daily Kiran) : The Jharkhand High Court has taken a firm stance regarding the detention of a woman at a facility in Hazaribagh, despite her acquittal in a criminal case. On October 1, the court demanded a response from the state government, instructing the Home Secretary to appear in person on October 5.
This ruling came during a hearing of a habeas corpus petition filed by social activist Apurva Vivek. The petition challenges the woman’s continued detention at the center. Her lawyer, Ujjaini Chatterjee, informed the court that although she had been acquitted, she remained confined at the Hazaribagh Detention Center.
The petition alleges that between 2020 and 2022, a police constable named Ranjit Mahto, stationed at the detention center, subjected the woman to ongoing sexual abuse and rape. The court raised critical questions about the legal grounds for detaining someone who has been acquitted of criminal charges.
The judges emphasized that Article 21 of the Constitution guarantees every individual the right to life and personal liberty, stating that no one can be deprived of their freedom without legal authority. The court has directed the Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority (JHALSA) to coordinate with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) in Hazaribagh to interview the woman and document her statement.
The court has requested that the findings be submitted in a sealed envelope. During the hearing, the Superintendent of Police from Hazaribagh participated via video conference, assuring the court that an investigation against the accused constable would proceed and that the woman’s safety would be prioritized.
The next hearing is scheduled for October 5, when the Home Secretary will be present along with the reports from the DLSA and the Hazaribagh Superintendent of Police.
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