The Jharkhand High Court on Tuesday took up a criminal writ petition filed by Sushila Murmu, widow of Surya Hansda, seeking an independent investigation into what she described as the “staged” killing of her husband in an alleged fake encounter.
The petition, also supported by Hansda’s mother Nilmani Murmu, contends that the police deliberately killed Hansda on August 11 in Deoghar by orchestrating an encounter. The matter has now been listed for hearing after the Dussehra holidays.
According to the police version, Hansda — a tribal leader who had contested multiple assembly elections and faced several criminal cases — was arrested from Nawadih village on August 10. While being taken to Rahadbadia hills to recover hidden arms, he allegedly snatched a weapon from the police and opened fire while attempting to escape. The police retaliated, resulting in his death.
Hansda’s family, however, has dismissed this account as fabricated and insisted that he was targeted by the authorities.
The issue has also sparked a political storm in Jharkhand. The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been staging protests across the state, demanding that the case be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to ensure a fair and impartial probe.
With the matter now before the High Court, the case is expected to draw closer scrutiny once hearings resume after the festive break.
