The Jharkhand High Court has instructed the state government to provide clarity on whether it has implemented standardized operating procedures (SOP) to aid foreign tourists during their visits to the state.

During a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) hearing sparked by the reported gang rape of a Spanish tourist in Dumka, the court, presided over by Acting Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Navneet Kumar, requested clarification from the government.

The court requested a detailed affidavit from the Dumka police, outlining the progress of the investigation into the aforementioned case.

Further, the bench interrogated the government counsel about the current protocols in place to assist and provide support to foreign tourists within the state. Furthermore, the court requested clarification regarding the procedural formalities necessary for inspecting tourists upon their arrival.

Additionally, the court urged the government to outline the measures implemented to address the increasing occurrence of crimes against women. The next hearing on this issue is scheduled for March 13. It's worth noting that the court had previously taken suo motu cognizance of the case and instructed the state government to furnish a report.

According to the government's submission, eight suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident, and a compensation of Rs 10 lakh has been awarded to the victim.