On HC orders, 2 COs suspended for laxity in gang-rape case

Two circle officers posted in Prayagraj have been suspended for showing negligence in a case of alleged gangrape. Action was taken against former CO (Meja) Naveen Nayak and CO Sachchidanand on the instructions of the High Court late Monday night.

A woman of Meja area has gone missing in January this year. Her family later lodged an FIR of gang-rape against some persons. Meja SHO Santosh Dwivedi was suspended for negligence in the case while police rescued the girl and arrested one person in the case on the basis of medical report. However, police claimed that gang-rape could not be confirmed in the medical examination.

The woman went missing again under mysterious circumstances some months later following which her family lodged an FIR at Meja police station under serious sections. Police rescued her and took action against the accused. However, the woman’s kin have approached the court before the woman was recovered.

The High Court has pulled up the cops for loose investigations and has asked them that how the accused were given clean chit even when the girl has accused of gang-rape in her statement recorded under section 164 of The Code Of Criminal Procedure.

Two cops Munnalal and Azhar Khan were suspended for negligence in investigations related to the role of the then CO Naveen Nayak and CO Sachchidanand. The duo was suspended after it was found that both showed negligence in handling the case and taking prompt action against the accused.

ADG zone Prem Prakash said the two officials have been suspended by the state government as per instructions of the high court.