Tribal woman accused of extorting money

RANCHI - A tribal woman whose allegations of sexual exploitation led to the suspension of a top Jharkhand police officer has now been accused of extorting money in the name of Maoists.

The chief judicial magistrate of Gumla district Tuesday issued a non-bailable warrant against Sushma Badaik after the head of Jharkhand Tiger, a small Maoist group, said she was involved in extortion.

Badaik has, however, claimed innocence.

According to police sources, Raghu said after his arrest with seven associates: “Whatever levy or extortion was collected by us was handed over to Sushma. She used to coordinate members involved in extortion.”

Badaik said the police were trying to frame her.

She has approached the National Commission of Women, pointing fingers at suspended Inspector General of Police P.S. Natarjan against whom she filed a rape case. Trial in the case is underway in a Ranchi court.

In 2005, a television channel did a sting operation and showed Badaik in bed with Natarajan. The sting operation was reportedly done with Badaik’s consent to expose the police officer.

Badaik alleged that Natarajan sexually exploited her for many years. Based on the expose, the state government suspended Natarajan. He has been under suspension since then.

She has reportedly accused the police of implicating her in false cases and feared she might be killed in a fake encounter.

Police officials are aghast.

“Why will the police kill her? She was provided two guards. She went underground after Raghu’s statement. She should cooperate with us,” a police officer in Gumla district told IANS.