Mahila Mandal seeks removal of Sainj SHO for 'shielding accused' in gang-rape, murder case

Maa Saraswati Mahila Mandal of Jahila village in Kullu district has called for the immediate removal of the in-charge of Sainj police station. The mandal has accused the Sainj police station in-charge and the Banjar DSP of shielding the accused of the gang-rape and murder case that had shaken the Sainj valley.

Anni DSP Chandershekhar Kayath cracked the case, which had remained unresolved for over six weeks, with a meticulous investigation. The crime had remained hidden from the public for weeks until it gained traction on social media platforms.

Initially, an abetment to commit suicide case was registered after the victim’s body was found hanging from a tree. However, investigation uncovered critical evidence, leading to the arrest of four persons.

A young woman was brutally gang-raped and murdered in Dehuri village in the Sainj valley of Kullu district on August 12. Early efforts by the Sainj and Banjar police teams had failed to yield results, sparking widespread public outrage and levelling of accusations of negligence.

Kullu SP Karthikeyan Gokulachandran said that an inquiry had been initiated into the alleged lapses by the Sainj police station in-charge. He added that the arrests were made on the basis of evidence collected by the investigation team and dismissed the allegations of a cover-up as “illogical.”

The Mahila Mandal alleged that the SHO not only failed to act but also attempted to protect the accused by casting aspersions on the victim’s character. Led by mandal president Rukmani and secretary Hara Devi, the delegation met with the SP and submitted a memorandum demanding the suspension and charge-sheeting of the SHO and also the removal of the entire Sainj police team, including officials Kishori Lal and Shyam Singh. They warned that mass protests would be held at the SP’s office if their demands were not addressed promptly.

The delegation also commended DSP Chandershekhar Kayath for conducting a relentless investigation, often trekking through remote terrains, to gather evidence and apprehend the accused within three days. He was credited with providing justice after the initial probe had gone astray, even resulting in the wrongful arrest of the victim’s husband.

It was after local residents and the Mahila Mandal held protests that a special investigation team (SIT) was formed under DSP Chandershekhar. The SIT’s swift, evidence-driven approach led to the arrest of four suspects. The case now awaits forensic confirmation.