CBI to probe death of tribal activist in Jharkhand

Chief Minister Hemant Soren has directed the CBI to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Nisha Kumari Bhagat, an indigenous rights activist from Jharkhand, following sustained pressure from the deceased's family and civil society groups.

Bhagat died on November 6 in what was reported as a suicide. However, hours before her death, the activist had posted on Facebook Live alleging harassment by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) government and land brokers, raising questions about the circumstances of her demise.

The activist's family rejected the suicide narrative and called for an independent investigation, citing inconsistencies in the official account. Their appeal for a CBI probe found support among tribal organisations and human rights groups, who questioned the preliminary police findings.

The decision to hand over the case to the federal investigative agency marks a significant development in the matter, which had drawn attention to tensions between the state government and tribal communities over land-related issues. The CBI is expected to conduct a comprehensive investigation into all aspects of the case.