Jharkhand tribal leader dies by suicide minutes after Facebook goes live; alleges harassment by Soren government, land brokers

Tribal leader and social activist Nisha Kumari Bhagat. Credit: Facebook

Tribal leader and social activist Nisha Kumari Bhagat on Friday (November 6, 2026) reportedly committed suicide in Jharkhand’s Ranchi shortly after posting on Facebook.

In a live broadcast that lasted for 10 minutes, she accused Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s government, the police and some people associated with the land mafia for allegedly harassing her. Taking aim at the state government, she said they are now paying the price for bringing the government’s failings to the public and exposing them.

The incident took place under the Pithoria Police Station on Friday afternoon (November 6, 2026). She is said to have also called Pithoria PS SHO during the live broadcast.

Bhagat also alleged that she was falsely called a broker of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She described her father as a Jharkhand activist and remembered her mother. Talking about the land brokers, Bhagat claimed that she was fighting for the rights of her community.

After receiving information, a police team rushed to Bhagat’s residence and took her to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS). A team of doctors at the emergency department examined Bhagat but found that she was brought dead, RIMS director Dr. BK Sinha.

Who was Nisha Bhagat?

Originally from Gumla district, Nisha Bhagat belonged to the Oraon tribal community. She also unsuccessfully contested the 2024 assembly elections from the Gumla seat on a Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) ticket.

She left the JLKM after the elections and was not associated with any political party. She was also appointed as the Central Woman President of the Sarna Central Committee and dedicated her life to the preservation of Santhal culture and tradition.

Nisha had CM Soren and Ajay Tirkey in-charge: Jharkhand LoP

After her death, Leader of Opposition in the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly Babulal Marandi criticized the Hemant Soren government over the incident. “Information was received about the suicide of a young leader, Nisha Bhagat, who fought for the rights of the tribal society and was a vocal voice of the community. She blamed Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the Pitthoriya police station and Ajay Tirkey (a converted Christian leader who works for missionaries), Mr. Marandi said.

“At the behest of the chief minister, some brokers are trying to grab tribal lands. The game of land grabbing is going on in every police station and state block. How long will the tribal society continue to be harassed on its own land?” he added.

The BJP leader also pointed out that nothing could be more shameful and unfortunate than a young woman raising her voice for the rights of the natives who are being harassed to the extent of taking their own lives. “Chief Minister Hemant Soren should immediately resign from his post. Those whom Nisha Bhagat held responsible for her suicide should be immediately arrested and the whole matter should be investigated impartially with strict action against the culprits,” Mr. Marandi said.

After visiting the hospital, M. Marandi demanded a CBI probe.

(Help to overcome suicidal thoughts is available on the state health line 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.

Published – 06 Nov 2026 20:32 IST