Jharkhand High Court takes suo motu cognisance of gang-rape of Brazilian tourist in Dumka district

The Jharkhand High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of reports that a Brazilian tourist was gang-raped by seven men in the State's Dumka district. [The Court on its own motion v. State of Jharkhand and Ors].A Bench of Acting Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Navneet Kumar on Monday sought the response of the Jharkhand Director General of Police (DGP), the Chief Secretary and Dumka's Superintendent of Police in the matter. "As we read from the newspaper reports, “X” is Spanish speaking person but it is not known whether there is the facility of translator with the help of whom her statement was recorded. Furthermore, in view of the amendments made in the Code of Criminal Procedure and emphasis on scientific investigation in cases of offences relating to rape, there is urgent need to seek a report from the Superintendent of Police at Dumka as to the progress of investigation so far conducted in the matter," the Court said..President of the Jharkhand High Court Advocates Association Ritu Kumar on Monday morning tendered copies of various news reports on the incident before the Court, following which the Court took cognisance of the matter..The Court emphasized that crimes against a foreign national may have serious national and international repercussions, and impact the tourism economy of the country."A sex-related crime against a foreign women is likely to bring adverse publicity against the country and thereby tarnishing the image of India across the globe," it said..The incident took place on March 1, when Brazilian woman and her husband, who were on a motorbike tour, halted in Dumka for the night.Soon after, the woman posted a video on her Instagram page, narrating the horrific incident. She said that seven men raped her and beat up her husband.The incident sparked international outrage. As per Jharkhand police, four of the seven accused have been arrested while the search is on for the three remaining men..[Read order]