A case has been lodged against Congress MLA Bhushan Bara at the Dhurwa police station in Ranchi, Jharkhand, under the POCSO Act for raping a 14-year-old girl from a tribal community. The case was registered on the complaint of the victim, who had been staying at the MLA’s residence.
In her complaint, the victim told the police that she was brought to the Congress MLA’s house in May 2026 by two women, identified as Ema Bara and Josima Khakha, on the promise of providing her with an education and enrolling her in a school. Initially, she was taken to the MLA’s Simdega residence and then brought to Ranchi.
The victim said that instead of being provided with education, she was engaged in domestic chores at the Congress legislator’s house. She said that she was subjected to physical assault, verbal abuse, and even starved over minor mistakes. The victim revealed that she faced abuse and harassment at both houses of the MLA.
According to the victim, on August 5, 2026, the MLA raped her at his Ranchi residence. He also threatened to kill her if she disclosed anything about the incident. The following day, the victim managed to escape and went to her village in Simdega. After reaching home, the victim fell ill because of the sexual abuse. She narrated the entire incident to her family, and the legal action followed.
“The adolescent girl was brought to Ranchi with the assurance that she would be enrolled in school and provided with an education. Subsequently, she was residing in the accommodation in question. It is alleged that she was subjected to sexual assault during this period. An FIR has been registered under the POCSO Act,” DSP(Hatia), Neeraj Kumar, said, adding that the victim’s statement will be recorded before the magistrate.
Ranchi, Jharkhand: A 14-year-old tribal girl from Simdega has accused Congress MLA Bhushan Bara of rape, physical abuse and threats to kill her at his official residence in Ranchi. An FIR has been registered against him under the POCSO Act, DSP(Hatia), Neeraj Kumar says, "While she was staying at their house, an incident of rape was committed against her, and regarding the further action being taken, an FIR has been lodged, and following the FIR, the usual process—such as medical examination, the 164 statement, and subsequent arrests—is being carried out; the victim will be kept safe by us, and we will ensure her security, while the BJP is also demanding arrests as soon as possible…"
— IANS (@ians_india) November 13, 2026
Meanwhile, Simdega MLA Bhushan Bara has denied the rape allegations, calling them a political conspiracy to damage his reputation. “This allegation is false; it is completely fabricated. Certain opponents are orchestrating this conspiracy to tarnish our reputation—specifically, to undermine the image we have built, the momentum of our work, and the way we consistently stand by the people. They are doing this solely to defame us,” the MLA said.
#WATCH | Ranchi | On allegations of rape, Congress MLA Bhushan Bara says, "This allegation is false; it is completely fabricated. Certain opponents are orchestrating this conspiracy to tarnish our reputation—specifically, to undermine the image we have built, the momentum of our work, and the way we consistently stand by the people. They are doing this solely to defame us…It involves some individuals who were expelled from our organisation, along with other anti-social elements—they are the ones driving this…No, she (the complainant) was not an employee. We have many young people with us—some are in middle school, some in high school, and others in college. Furthermore, I am providing training to some who have completed their education here; for instance, two are currently undergoing GNM (nursing) training. We cover the expenses for them. All the young people here—my wife and I are addressed by them as ‘Bada Papa’ (father figure) and ‘Badi Mummy’ (mother figure). We treat them with the same love and care as our own children. Nothing wrong has ever happened to any of them. Besides, I am serving my second term as an MLA, and no such incident has ever occurred before…She (the complainant) isn’t making these accusations on her own; she is being misled. They took her away from her home—practically abducted her—without informing anyone in her family. They even wore masks so they wouldn’t be recognised. They brought her here, coached her, and are now making her say all sorts of false things against me…"
— ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2026
Bara said that some former Congress Party members, who were recently expelled from the party, are behind the conspiracy to malign his reputation.
