In a distressing incident that has raised concerns over the safety of minors in Jharkhand, an eighth-grade Hindu girl from Bhandra block in Lohardaga district was abducted under the false promise of marriage by a married Muslim man on December 19, 2024.
According to reports from the local newspapers, the accused, identified as Firoz Rai, also known as Chand, is a 24-year-old from Sons village in Ranchi’s Chanho block. Firoz, who is already married with two children, is accused of exploiting the minor before eloping with her.
The young girl, a student at a private school, had initially told her family she was stepping out for medical treatment. Her absence, however, extended far beyond what was expected, prompting her family to launch a search. It was during this search that they learned of the deception; their daughter had been lured away by Firoz Rai.
Distraught, the family proceeded to file a formal complaint at the Bhandra police station, pressing for immediate action to locate and rescue their daughter. Upon visiting the residence of Firoz Rai, they found no trace of him, as he had reportedly vanished since the day of the alleged abduction.
Arvind Kumar Singh, the officer-in-charge at Bhandra police station, confirmed the registration of the case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. “This is a clear case of luring and abducting a minor with the intent of sexual exploitation. We are actively pursuing leads, and the investigation is ongoing,” Singh stated in an interview with local media.
This incident adds to a growing pattern of crimes against women and minors in Jharkhand. Statistics from 2022 had already pointed to an uptick in such criminal activities, with this case echoing others, including a notorious incident where an individual was accused of kidnapping three minor girls.
The victim’s family has made a plea for intervention by the authorities to secure the safe return of their daughter and to implement measures to halt these recurring abductions. The case has cast a spotlight on the JMM-Congress-led government’s handling of law and order, particularly the protection of women and girls.
Since 2024, there has been a marked increase in reports of sexual exploitation, abductions, and violence, predominantly affecting Hindu women, fueling public outcry and demands for better governance.
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