Jharkhand government recommends CBI probe into tribal activist Nisha Bhagat's death

The Jharkhand government has recommended a CBI investigation into the death of tribal activist Nisha Bhagat, Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced on Tuesday night.

In a post on X, Soren said, “The Nisha Bhagat case will now be investigated by the CBI. Directions have been issued.”

The decision follows pressure from the Opposition BJP and tribal organisations demanding an independent investigation. Bhagat died by suicide at her Ranchi home on November 6, shortly after broadcasting a live video on Facebook.

In the nearly 10-minute video, Bhagat alleged that she was facing harassment and sought administrative intervention. She was vocal about Adivasi rights, Sarna-Sanatan identity, and land grabbing by mafias.

Her father subsequently lodged a complaint at Pithoria police station, alleging that she had faced mental and social harassment. An FIR was registered against some tribal leaders under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The police had constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police, to investigate the case. The officer-in-charge of Pithoria police station, Pandey, was later removed from his post and attached to the police lines.

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) had also taken suo motu cognisance of the incident. It sought a report from the state government within seven days and initiated an inquiry under Article 338A of the Constitution.

BJP Jharkhand president Aditya Sahu on Wednesday credited the party's protests with prompting the decision. He said the BJP's Scheduled Tribe Morcha had organised protests, including effigy burning and torch marches, and announced further programmes to demand an impartial investigation and justice for Bhagat's family.