Bikaner: Sheruna village in Bikaner district is witnessing intense anger and deep unrest after the horrifying rape and murder of an 18-year-old Brahmin girl. The brutal killing, which took place earlier this week, has triggered massive outrage, with locals demanding swift justice. The incident has also revived nationwide debate around IAS officer Santosh Verma’s recent controversial statement, which many villagers claim has “emboldened anti-social elements.”
According to the FIR, the victim was at home around 4 PM on December 2 when she suddenly went missing. Her family grew alarmed when she did not return for hours. Villagers joined the search through the night, but no clue surfaced. At around 1:43 AM, the family lodged a missing person report at Sheruna police station.
In the early morning hours of December 3, police, along with villagers, continued the search and eventually discovered the girl’s body in a pond located nearly 500 metres from her home. The scene indicated foul play, prompting immediate forensic action. The police conducted videography of the location, collected samples, and scanned CCTV footage from around the village.
The victim’s family has accused Jora Ram, a labourer living in a small house constructed on their farmland, of committing the crime. They alleged that he frequently visited their house and had taken advantage of this familiarity. In their complaint, they claimed he abducted the girl, sexually assaulted her, murdered her, and dumped her body in the pond to erase evidence.
The body has been sent for post-mortem, after which the exact cause of death will be officially established. However, initial investigation suggests both sexual assault and deliberate killing.
Police have detained the accused and are interrogating him. A case has been registered under IPC Sections 376 (rape), 302 (murder), 363 (kidnapping), 201 (destruction of evidence), along with strict provisions under the POCSO Act. Officials stated that all evidence, forensic material, mobile data, and CCTV footage, is being examined.
The shocking incident has reignited public anger over IAS officer Santosh Verma’s divisive and widely criticised comment: “Reservation will continue until a Brahmin family donates their daughter to my son.”
The remark had previously sparked nationwide condemnation, and villagers in Sheruna claim that such statements create a dangerous social climate. Many locals believe the recent case has deepened existing tensions.
Security has been tightened in Sheruna as villagers continue to protest. Social organisations and community groups have demanded fast-track investigation, harsher punishment, and immediate filing of a strong chargesheet.
