A shocking incident of mob justice has emerged from Jharkhand, where a woman was allegedly thrashed and paraded around a village with a garland of slippers. The incident occurred in Piprali village, located within the Dumri police station limits of Giridih district.

Reports indicate that the woman was accused by some villagers of stealing household goods. Acting on this suspicion, a group of residents reportedly apprehended her on Sunday evening. They allegedly assaulted her, chopped off her hair, and forced her to wear a garland of shoes and slippers. Following this, she was paraded through the village as onlookers recorded videos of the degrading act.

This incident is not isolated, as previous instances of similar atrocities against women have been reported in Jharkhand. In one case from May 2020, a 23-year-old woman was beaten, partially stripped, and paraded with a garland of shoes in Bokaro district. Police investigations revealed that the perpetrators were acting on the instructions of a relative, allegedly to settle a personal score. In July 2023, a woman was reportedly beaten, paraded naked, and tied to a tree in a village in Giridih district.

These incidents highlight the vulnerability of women in certain regions of Jharkhand and raise concerns about the prevalence of mob justice and the breakdown of law and order. The absence of a functional state women's commission has further compounded the issue, prompting the National Commission for Women (NCW) to intervene and handle women-related cases in the state.

The NCW's involvement underscores the severity of the situation and the urgent need for effective measures to protect women's rights and ensure their safety and dignity. NCW member Mamta Kumari has announced plans to conduct district-wise hearings to address the backlog of pending cases and ensure that FIRs are filed and justice is delivered.

These incidents contribute to the already alarming statistics regarding crimes against women in Jharkhand. Data from late 2024 revealed a high number of rape cases, dowry deaths, and incidents of witch-hunting in the state. Despite increased police vigilance, the incidence of crimes against women remains a significant concern for state authorities.

The challenges in addressing violence against women in Jharkhand are multifaceted and include factors such as social norms, cultural practices, and inadequate access to justice. There is a need for comprehensive strategies that focus on prevention, protection, and prosecution to effectively combat this issue. These strategies must involve the active participation of the government, law enforcement agencies, civil society organizations, and communities to create a safe and secure environment for women in Jharkhand.