Delhi Police

In one instance, a woman alleged that a constable and his son raped and beat her up in 2015. The policeman was arrested on her complaint and a court is hearing the case, one of the RTI replies from Rohini (south) police station said.

An assistant sub-inspector was accused by a woman of trying to have “unnatural sex” with her last year, another response from the Subzi Mandi police station in north Delhi said.

Two women victims Hindustan Times spoke to alleged mental torture and threat from senior officers when they went to police station to file a complaint.

The first victim, who refused to be named for fear of persecution, said she was “groped and touched” by a head constable last year. “When I filed a case against the head constable, an ACP [assistant commissioner of police] tried to convince me not to go ahead,” she said.

“They threatened me indirectly saying that ‘police would never cooperate with you if you get into any trouble in future’.”

To be sure, the Delhi Police did act against some of the 150 accused. In 30% cases, the accused, while standing trial, were demoted by up to four years after departmental inquiries. Two constables were dismissed after such internal inquiries.

Should these dismissed and demoted employees win their court cases they can be reinstated and their dues paid.

But activists say many women who go to file complainants at police stations face hostility.

“Complaining against police personnel is very difficult because they are in a powerful position to negotiate. By and large, victims are pushed to withdraw their cases,” said Ranjana Kumari, director of the Centre for Social Research.

The second victim cited above told Hindustan Times that a constable from Rajouri Garden police station used to stalk her before asking for sex.

“He threatened me with dire consequences if I filed a complaint,” she said. The Delhi Police is looking into her complaint against the constable.

ACTIVISTS SAY MANY WOMEN WHO GO TO FILE COMPLAINANTS AT POLICE STATIONS FACE HOSTILITY