Sub-inspector held for custodial rape

Dinesh Manhotra

Tribune News Service

Akhnoor/Jammu, May 11

A sub-inspector (SI) has been arrested on the charge of raping a woman at a police station in the Akhnoor subdivision for two successive nights six months ago. A policewoman was taken into custody for allegedly abetting the crime.

The arrested cop was identified as SI Mohammad Iqbal Chagatta, who was SHO of the Khour police station in Akhnoor subdivision of Jammu district. Iqbal, who was attached to the District Police Lines, Jammu, was accused of raping the woman at the police station which he was heading as SHO till Monday.

“An FIR was registered against the SHO and he was taken into custody. An investigation has been initiated by the SDPO, Akhnoor,” said Dr Sunil Gupta, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP).

The police claimed that the victim was raped on the premises on the Khour police station for two successive nights six months ago. Sources said the cop had been sexually assaulting the woman for the last six months.

“We are investigating all aspects in this case,” the SSP said when asked whether the accused had been sexually abusing the victim for the last six months.

According to reports, parents of the victim had lodged a complaint at the Khour police station six months ago that their daughter was kidnapped by a local youth. Acting on the complaint, the police swung into action and recovered the victim from outside the state within 15 days.

A case of kidnapping and rape was registered against the youth, girl, reports said. After being recovered, the victim was reportedly kept in the police station for two successive nights.

It was alleged that the then SHO kept her in a separate room and sexually abused her for two consecutive nights with the help of SPO Mamta Kumari. The then SHO had reportedly threatened the woman of dire consequences if she dared to tell anybody about the crime.

Reports said the victim was married to the youth charged with kidnapping her with the intervention of some local residents. The SHO reportedly continued to abuse her, but she did not raise her voice because of the social stigma.

The reports said she eventually informed her husband, after which the duo approached the police. “Within 24 hours of receiving the complaint in writing, we lodged an FIR and arrested the cop,” said the SSP. He admitted that there was element of authenticity in the complaint.

SDPO Gurinderpal Singh, investigating the case, said the cop had been booked on the charge of custodial rape. “Investigation is going on. Culprits will not be spared.” he said.