19 booked for gang-rape of undertrial in Ranchi jail

An FIR has been registered against 19 people, including the jail superintendent, ward in-charge, medical officer and 16 inmates, after a 20-year-old undertrial alleged he was gang-raped three times inside Birsa Munda Central Jail in Hotwar, Ranchi. The victim’s father stated that between 31 January and 12 June 2026, inmates forced his son to wear a saree, applied makeup, drugged him, and assaulted him during festivals, TV9 Hindi and Prabhat Khabar report naming Shivratri, Ramnavami and Sarhul. The victim allegedly tried to report the incidents to the ward in-charge, but his written complaint was torn and he was denied medical treatment.

The complainant said his son was acquitted on 12 June 2026 and released that day without a mandatory medical examination. After release, the victim suffered severe mental trauma before telling his family. The FIR, filed at Khelgaon police station on 12 November, names 16 inmates from wards 14 and 15, along with three jail officials. Police have appointed Sub-Inspector Kumar Shivam as the investigating officer.

Update, 13 November 2026: TV9 Hindi reports that the assaults occurred during the festivals of Shivratri, Ramnavami and Sarhul, adding that the jail had faced security questions earlier, citing a November 2025 video of inmates dancing. All three sources now confirm the FIR names 19 people including the jail superintendent. Aaj Tak quotes DSP Sanjeev Besra confirming the FIR.