Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Two Jharkhand Police Suspended After Tribal Woman Alleges Custody Assault
Two police officers in Latehar, Jharkhand, have been suspended.
The police chief said they did not follow a rule during a raid to recover opium.
The rule requires a gazetted officer to be present during such a raid.
Punia Devi says police took her to a station on October 5 and badly mistreated her.
She also says they hung her upside down and beat her.
The police chief gave a different account of what happened during the raid, saying opium was found with her and describing how a packet was taken away.
A separate team is investigating her allegations.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren told the police to investigate and report back.
Latehar police suspended officer Prabhat Kumar Das and Constable Manish Ram after a preliminary inquiry found procedural lapses during an opium-recovery raid.
Latehar SP Kumar Gaurav said the raid took place without a gazetted officer, as required under the NDPS Act.
Punia Devi alleged that police took her into custody on October 5, beat and hung her upside down, and subjected her to other mistreatment.
The SP said opium was found in Devi’s possession and alleged she took a packet from a constable and handed it to a man who fled.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren ordered an inquiry into Devi’s complaint; a separate joint team’s report was still awaited.
- Who
- Officer Prabhat Kumar Das and Constable Manish Ram were suspended; Punia Devi made the allegations.
- What
- The officers were suspended over procedural lapses during an opium-recovery raid, while Devi’s allegations of assault and mistreatment are being investigated separately.
- When
- The alleged incident began on October 5; the suspensions were reported on October 9.
- Where
- Latehar district, Jharkhand; Devi said she was taken from near Bagnahi Mahua to a police station.
- Why
- The SP said the raid was conducted without the gazetted officer required under the NDPS Act.
Punia Devi’s allegations
Police account
Treatment in custody
Punia Devi’s allegations
Devi alleged police tied her up, hung her upside down and beat her with sticks. She also alleged inappropriate touching, sexual harassment and that green chillies were forced into her mouth.
Police account
The SP said a joint team was investigating her complaint; the report did not provide a response from police to each specific allegation.
Events during the raid
Punia Devi’s allegations
Devi said she was taken from near Bagnahi Mahua over suspected involvement in opium trading and poppy cultivation.
Police account
The SP said police went to investigate alleged opium sales, found opium in Devi’s possession, and alleged she took a packet from a constable and handed it to a man who fled.
Basis for suspension
Punia Devi’s allegations
Devi and villagers submitted a complaint against the officer in charge and other police personnel.
Police account
The SP said the two officers were suspended for procedural lapses because the raid was conducted without the gazetted officer required under the NDPS Act; departmental proceedings would follow.
- Suspended personnel
- Prabhat Kumar Das, officer-in-charge of Bariyatu police station, and Constable Manish Ram
- District
- Latehar, Jharkhand
- Reason cited for suspension
- The raid to recover opium was conducted without a gazetted officer, according to Latehar SP Kumar Gaurav.
- Complainant
- Punia Devi, described in the reports as an Adivasi or tribal woman
- Alleged incident
- Devi said police took her into custody on October 5 and released her on the night of October 6.
- Investigation
- A joint team was separately investigating Devi’s complaint; its report was awaited.
- Chief minister’s direction
- Hemant Soren directed Latehar police to investigate and report back after taking appropriate action.
