DyCF Shivkumar charged with causing RFO Chavan’s miscarriage

Nagpur: Dharni police has slapped three more IPC sections, including the charge of causing miscarriage, against deputy conservator of forests (DyCF) Vinod Shivkumar — accused in the Harisal RFO Deepali Chavan suicide case — after finding further evidence against him.

Based on the suicide note, the investigating officer and sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Poonam Patil dug into the allegations that Shivkumar was responsible for her miscarriage and found some medical papers.

Patil also recorded statements of the forest staff and during investigation, found that Shivkumar was responsible for the miscarriage of Chavan. The staff also revealed that the deputy conservator used to abuse Chavan and insult her regularly over the phone and in person.

Amravati superintendent of police (SP) Hari Balaji said, “On March 25, the day when the RFO shot herself and left a suicide note holding Shivkumar responsible for her death, we had booked the accused under Section 306 (abetment to suicide).”

Balaji added, “On April 4, we have slapped sections 312 (punishment for causing miscarriage), 504 (intentional insult), 506 (criminal intimidation) and submitted it before the court. Further investigations are on.”

When asked whether suspended APCCF MS Reddy has been made co-accused as the Achalpur additional sessions judge SK Mungliwar rejected his anticipatory bail application, Balaji said, “It has not been done as an inquiry about his role in the suicide case is still going on. His statements were also recorded.”

However, the detailed court orders state, “It is crystal clear that the offence is of serious nature. The applicant (Reddy) had knowledge of all atrocities sustained by the deceased at the hands of accused Shivkumar in the form of oral complaint and electronic record, but did not take any action against him.”

“The applicant Reddy has supported accused Shivkumar by purposefully avoiding the performance of his duties after receiving complaints from the deceased. The acts of Reddy are supporting in nature to the acts of the accused. Hence, he is not entitled to get bail,” the court had said.