Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
Ranchi, Nov 1: At least 15 police personnel have been suspended following allegations that a woman was raped inside the premises of Gamharia police station in Jharkhand's Saraikela-Kharsawan district.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Manoj Swargiary on Sunday suspended nine more personnel, including two Sub-Inspectors, four Assistant Sub-Inspectors, two Havildars and a constable.
Earlier, six police personnel, including the Station House Officer (SHO), had been suspended over the alleged rape of the woman. In total, 15 personnel have faced action over alleged gross misconduct and sexual assault inside the police station.
Three persons have been arrested in connection with the case. They include the accused wireless operator, Neeraj Lakra, the officer on duty and the station clerk (munshi). All three have been remanded to judicial custody.
SP Swargiary visited Gamharia police station on Sunday to review the matter. The action against the nine additional personnel followed their alleged failure to inform senior officers about the incident in a timely manner.
According to the police, the woman, a resident of Dugdha village under Gamharia police station's jurisdiction, arrived at the station late Thursday night to lodge a complaint over a family dispute and alleged harassment by her husband. As it was late, she was advised to stay at the police station.
It is alleged that during this time, wireless operator Neeraj Lakra took the woman into a room within the police station premises and raped her.
After the incident came to light, the police administration constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by SDPO Anubhav Bhardwaj to investigate the matter.
The SIT inspected the alleged crime scene and sealed the room to preserve evidence. Following a written complaint by the victim, an FIR was registered and the accused wireless operator was arrested.
Police said the investigation was ongoing and warned that action would be taken against any other personnel found to have been involved in the incident or negligent in their duties, in accordance with the rules.