SP shunted, SHO suspended over 2 gang-rapes in Alwar

ALWAR/JAIPUR: Facing backlash for hushing up investigation into a

Dalit

woman’s

gangrape

by five youth in Thanagazi, the state government shunted out Alwar SP Rajiv Pachar and suspended SHO Sardar Singh late Tuesday night. One of the five accused was arrested earlier in the day. Another youth was arrested late night for allegedly uploading the crime’s videos on WhatsApp groups.


The woman was gang-raped when she was travelling with her husband on a bike from Thanagazi to Alwar on April 26. The rapists riding two bikes had waylaid the couple on a deserted bypass and filmed the ghastly act committed at a sand dune off the road. The terrified couple had reported the matter to the district SP and Thanagazi police on May 2 but the police allegedly went slow on investigation citing poll duties.

Even as the state government was facing severe criticism over Dalit woman’s gang-rape, another gangrape of a 20-year-old girl by three men was reported from the Thanagazi area on Tuesday. SHO Sardar Singh was suspended thereafter.

All accused worked as truck drivers or helpers’

The Dalit community protested at Thanagazi in the day as the woman’s gang-rape video went viral on social media. BJP Rajya Sabha MP Kirori Lal Meena demanded arrest of the accused within 24-hours as well as action against the guilty policemen. Congress’ former union minister Jitendra Singh too reached the protest site and assured justice to the rape survivor.

By late night, additional chief secretary (home) Rajiv Swaroop issued a press statement saying that the Alwar SP has been removed due to administrative reasons. One assistant sub-inspector and three constables were sent to line, while the Thanagazi SHO was suspended.

One of the accused rapists arrested on Tuesday was identified as Indraraj Gujjar, a truck driver. According to senior police officials, all accused have been identified and are said to be in the age group of 20-25. Preliminary investigations revealed that all accused worked as truck drivers or helpers. A sixth person, identified as Mukesh Gurjar

(20), was arrested for uploading the video in WhatsApp groups and making obscene photos and videos viral on social media, the police said.

DGP Rajasthan, Kapil Garg refuted allegations of police trying to cover up the crime due to ongoing Lok Sabha polling in the state. Talking to media here, Garg said, “Police protocols for investigation were followed and one arrest has been made in the case. We have constituted 14 teams to trace the remaining accused and will catch them soon.”

Hundreds of locals gathered in Thanagazi on Tuesday and the village panchayat formed a ‘Sangharsh Samiti’, which decided to stage protests till the time all the accused were arrested. Independent MLA from Thanagazi, Kanti Prasad Meena is spearheading this committee with the support of BJP Rajya Sabha MP Meena.

ADGP (CID, CB), B L Soni said, “The case was registered on May 2 and after that all investigations were carried out. A deputy SP level officer was put in charge of the investigation. We are probing if there was any delay by the policemen due to elections. The SHO has been suspended because of another gang-rape committed in the same police station area.”