IPS OFFICER PRAVEEN KUMAR, LUCKNOW
On the evening of July 16, 2014, a 35-year-old widow, employed as a contractual worker at SGPGI after the death of her husband, went missing from her rented house in Vrindavan colony near SGPGI.
She had gone out for some work, leaving her two children at home but did not return.
She was brutally raped and murdered after being taken to Balsinghkheda village in Mohanlalganj on the outskirts.
Her blood soaked naked body was found lying on the premises of a primary school in Balsinghkheda village on the morning of July 17, 2014.
The crime grabbed national headlines, followed by nationwide protests seeking justice for the victim and safety of women. The police too faced criticism, as initially they failed to get any clue in the case.
A IPS officer of 2001 batch, Praveen Kumar, who is presently posted as DIG, Law and Order, was then posted as senior superintendent of police (SSP), Lucknow.
Kumar was under immense pressure to nab the culprits. After his multiple-hour efforts, the police arrested a security guard Ram Sewak Yadav (who hailed from Balsinghkheda village and worked near the woman’s house) around 96 hours after the crime.
Moreover, Praveen Kumar went an extra mile to deliver justice to the victim and never allowed any chance to Yadav to get relief.
Due to Kumar’s effective and regular monitoring and pursuance, Yadav was not allowed bail ever since then.
After nearly four years now, he is in Lucknow district jail, regretting his heinous act.
Only due to regular pursuance of the case in the court, a fast track court of Lucknow awarded him 20 years’ of rigorous imprisonment for rape and murder in January 2017.
“In the case, the city police filed a compact and fool proof charge sheet on October 16, 2014. Several concrete evidences, including forensic proofs like DNA and hair sample test of the convict were presented before the court. Moreover, as many as 18 witnesses in support of the case were presented before the court that led to the conviction and life term for Yadav,” he said, while recalling the incident.