Seraikela-Kharsawan/Ranchi. A case that puts the police system to shame has come to light in Seraikela-Kharsawan district of Jharkhand. A 20-year-old woman, who came to Gamharia police station premises with a complaint, has been accused of rape. Considering the seriousness of the matter, the Superintendent of Police has suspended a total of 15 policemen including the station in-charge. At the same time, three policemen including the wireless operator have been arrested and sent to judicial custody.
The incident is said to have happened on the night of 29 October. The woman had a dispute with her husband. She feared that her husband might assault her. Due to this fear, she left the house and reached her neighbor's house and called the police from there. After this the police PCR van brought him to Gamharia police station.
Allegation of incident in the police station itself with the woman who came to ask for help
According to the complaint given to the police, the staff present at the police station had made the woman sit in a room to rest. It is alleged that during this time, wireless operator Neeraj Lakra posted in the police station reached the room and raped the woman. The victim called for help, but no one helped her at that time.
The woman lodged a written complaint on October 31. After the complaint came to light, action started in the police department and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to investigate the matter.
Three policemen including wireless operator arrested
After the SIT investigation, the main accused wireless operator Neeraj Lakra was arrested. After this, sub-inspector Manoj Kumar Sahu and constable Santosh Kumar Rai, who were on duty, were also arrested. All three have been sent to judicial custody.
The role and alleged negligence of other employees of the police station is also being investigated in the investigation. Police officials say that no culprit will be spared in the case.
Action taken against 15 policemen in two days
Superintendent of Police Manoj Swargiari has suspended a total of 15 employees of Gamharia police station after the incident. These include the then police station in-charge Sanjay Prasad, including sub-inspectors, assistant sub-inspectors, havildars and constables. Some employees are accused of not giving timely information about the incident to senior officials and being negligent in ensuring the safety of the woman.
After the action, new in-charge Rajesh Tudu has been appointed at Gamharia police station. The SP has instructed all the police station in-charges of the district to strengthen the monitoring of the police stations and give priority to the safety of women complainants.
New instructions for women complainants
After the incident, the Superintendent of Police has issued instructions that complaints of female complainants should be registered without delay. The presence of a female policeman will be mandatory during interrogation. No woman complainant will be kept in the police station unnecessarily. If any indecent behavior or negligence in security is found, the accountability of the police station incharge along with the concerned policeman will be fixed.
Political and social organizations raised questions
Local organizations have protested against the incident and demanded justice for the victim and accountability of the policemen. Leaders associated with Jharkhand Lokkalyan Krantikari Morcha have also raised questions on the security arrangements and CCTV surveillance of the police station.
Regarding this matter, BJP MLA Neera Yadav also targeted the government of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and raised questions on the law and order of the state.
At present SIT is investigating the case. Police say that further action will be taken based on the facts emerging in the investigation. Questions have been raised on the accountability of the police administration due to such a serious allegation coming to light in the same police station where the police was responsible for women's safety and redressal of complaints.