Jharkhand: National ST Commission Recommends CBI Probe into Tribal Leader Surya Hansda’s Encounter

Ranchi: The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has termed the death of tribal leader Surya Hansda in a police encounter in Godda district as “suspicious” and has recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the case.

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Deepak Prakash, citing the commission’s report at a press conference on Tuesday, said the NCST team had visited the encounter site in Boarijor, recorded statements from concerned parties, and submitted its findings to the Union Home Secretary and the Jharkhand Chief Secretary.

According to the report, while Hansda’s arrest was shown on August 9, he was neither presented before a magistrate nor released within 24 hours, which is a clear violation of due process. The commission further alleged that Hansda was tortured before being killed.

The NCST has recommended:

• A CBI investigation into the encounter,

• Security cover for Hansda’s family,

• Immediate transfer of the officers involved,

• Free legal aid for the family,

• Safeguarding of all documents and evidence to prevent tampering.

It also advised removing the in-charge officers of Lalmatia, Boarijor, and Mahagama police stations, and examining the role of the Godda Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police.

The panel stressed that the entire process should be transparent and impartial to bring out the truth.

It may be recalled that on August 11, the Godda police claimed Hansda—who was wanted in more than 20 criminal cases—was killed in an encounter near Dhamni Pahad in Boarijor. Police alleged he was shot while trying to escape by snatching a weapon during a recovery operation, while his associates attacked the police team.

With inputs from IANS