Jharkhand LoP seeks CBI probe into tribal leader Nisha Bhagat death case

A man pays last respect to the mortal remains of tribal activist Nisha Kumari Bhagat at her residence, in Gumla district, Jharkhand, on November 7, 2026.

The Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Jharkhand Assembly Babulal Marandi on Saturday (November 7, 2026) demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the case of the alleged suicide of tribal leader and social activist Nisha Kumari Bhagat.

Mr. Marandi visited Bhagat’s home in Gumla district to pay tribute to the late tribal leader. He laid flowers on her mortal remains and met with her family members.

During his visit, Mr. Marandi slammed the Hemant Soren-led State government over her death. Mr. Marandi held Mr. Soren directly responsible for Bhagat’s suicide, and said she was a daughter of the tribal community.

The senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader added that a dire situation had emerged in Jharkhand, where law and order had collapsed and the State was effectively being run by a parallel system controlled by goons, middlemen and the land mafia, and not by a legitimate government.

There were many goons, middlemen and members of mafia who operated under the direct patronage of the Chief Minister in every region, block and police station across the State, Mr. Marandi alleged.

“The entire administrative machinery, including SPs (Superintendents of Police), DCs (Deputy Commissioners) and Circle Officers, acts at the behest of these people and for their financial gain. Common citizens, seeking redress for their grievances, are left running from pillar to post between government offices and police stations, yet their concerns go unheard,” Mr. Marandi said.

A single phone call from the mafia was enough to mobilise the entire administrative setup, he further claimed. “The current situation reveals who really controls the governance and administration in Jharkhand,” Mr. Marandi said.

“The terror of the land mafia in the State has escalated to such an extent that ancestral and private land belonging to ordinary citizens and tribal communities is being openly captured. The illicit trade of buying and selling such land is flourishing,” Mr. Marandi said.

“The Chief Minister must answer — who is ultimately responsible for the protection of tribal land and the safety of the tribal people? If Hemant Soren is unable to govern the State, he has no moral right to remain in the Chief Minister’s chair. He should resign immediately,” he said.

“An impartial investigation must be conducted to uncover the truth. Ajay Tirkey (known for his conversion to Christianity, missionary work and proximity to the CM), the Sub-Inspector at the Pithoria police station, who was named by Nisha Bhagat before her suicide, must be arrested immediately. A CBI inquiry should be conducted into the case,” Mr. Marandi said.

Sameer Oraon, former MP and former national president of the BJP’s Scheduled Tribes Morcha, praised the deceased activist. Nisha Bhagat was a fearless and resilient tribal woman who consistently raised her voice to protect the religion, culture, traditions, and faith of tribal communities, as well as their rights over water, forests, and land, Mr. Oraon said.

“In her video, Nisha Bhagat mentioned several names, including those associated with the Chief Minister, Ajay Tirkey, and the Jharkhand Police. An impartial investigation into the entire matter is essential,” Mr. Oraon said.

When a tribal woman was seeking police protection, why had the police failed to take her complaints seriously, he asked.

Tribal rights activist Nisha Bhagat on Friday (November 6, 2026) allegedly took her own life in Ranchi, shortly after a livestream broadcast of about 10 minutes on Facebook, in which she accused Mr. Soren’s government, the police, and certain individuals associated with the land mafia of harassing her.