Cop suspended for alleged rape of woman constable

A police station incharge has been suspended in Jharkhand’s Seraikela Kharsawan district for allegedly raping an adivasi woman constable, but police have not yet registered an FIR into the matter.

“We cannot give you any details as the matter is being investigated. We are yet to register an FIR,” said an officer. The Director General of Police admitted that he was in the dark about how Gamharia police station officer incharge Ram Narayan Chowdhary came to be suspended without an FIR. “How can an FIR be registered without a complaint? The moment the woman in question complains, the police will move to arrest the accused,” said DGP Rajeev Kumar, who said he was awaiting a report from the district police. Sources also claimed that the woman was in a relationship with Chowdhary. When pointed out that rape is a cognizable offence, an officer said, “What if she turns around and denies it all tomorrow?”

Efforts are reportedly on to find a “compromise.” That could mean Chowdhary may escape harassment charges.