BJP Probe Report Claims Surya Hansda’s Killing Was Planned Conspiracy

BJP state president and Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi on Sunday alleged that the killing of social-political activist Surya Hansda was the result of a planned conspiracy involving the ruling party, local mafia, and police. Addressing a press conference at the party’s state office, Marandi demanded a CBI investigation into the case, citing serious lapses and political motives.

Marandi referred to a fact-finding report prepared by a BJP committee headed by former Chief Minister Arjun Munda and signed by senior leaders, including former Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri, state vice-president Bhanu Pratap Shahi, former minister Randhir Singh, spokesperson Amit Mandal, ex-MP Sunil Soren, and Anita Soren of the BJP Mahila Morcha. The report, he said, clearly indicates that Hansda’s death was deliberate and politically motivated.

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According to Marandi, on 11 June 2025, during a JMM rally in Godda, a senior JMM leader and MLA representative close to Chief Minister Hemant Soren openly threatened that anyone defying the government would be shot by police. The very next day, a case was filed against Hansda, and two months later, he was killed in what police claimed was an encounter.

Marandi rejected the police’s portrayal of Hansda as a criminal, noting that in the 24 cases cited, he was acquitted in 14, on bail in five, and awaiting bail in the remaining five. He added that Hansda was celebrating his son’s birthday on 27 May, the day police alleged he was involved in torching a company vehicle.

Raising questions over the encounter, Marandi noted that Hansda had bullet wounds only in the front of his body, contradicting the police version of him being shot while fleeing. No witness or medical examination was conducted at the time of arrest, he added.

Hansda, described by Marandi as a sensitive social-political activist, had opposed illegal mining, land grabbing, religious conversion, and other unlawful activities in Santhal Pargana. He also worked to support the education of over 400 orphan children.

Bhanu Pratap Shahi, a member of the probe committee, alleged that Hansda was tortured in custody before being shot and called the post-mortem report “suspicious,” demanding a fresh autopsy under court supervision.

Marandi said that both Hansda’s family and the public expect a CBI investigation and urged the state government to recommend one immediately.