As the world celebrated International Women’s Day, an unfortunate incident came to the fore in Rajasthan as SI Bharat Singh, a police officer, has been accused of raping a complainant reportedly in the premises of the police station with the national media sleeping on the news.
In a shocking turn of events, Rajasthan’s Alwar district has been rocked with the news of a horrendous rape which would further deteriorate the public trust in the law enforcement agencies. A 26-year-old woman who arrived at the Kherli police station to file a harassment complaint against her husband was unfortunately allegedly subjected to rape by SI Bharat Singh. Singh lured the woman into a trap under the pretext of helping her with her case and allegedly took the victim to her quarters where he proceeded to sexually molested her on March 2.
When the victim reached the police station on Sunday evening to seek an update on her case, SI Bharat Singh again attempted to sexually molest her.
Tejaswani Gautam, Alwar superintendent of police (SP), said, “The SHO of Kherli police station Ram Sahay and accused SI Bharat Singh have been suspended. The circle officer (CO) Ashok Chauhan has been put on APO (awaiting posting order). 18 policemen of the station will be sent to police lines. The process to terminate the accused will be started once the charge sheet is filed. Everybody’s role is being probed.”
SI Singh has been arrested and booked under section 376 (punishment for sexual assault) and 376(2)(a)(ii), (a police officer committing rape in the premises of any station house) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). 18 policemen along with the circle officer (CO) were shunted after it was their alleged role in shielding SI Singh was unearthed.
Alwar SP, Gautam further added, “The SI allegedly took the victim to her quarter and sexually molested her. When the victim reached the police station Sunday evening to get information about action in her case, the SI again attempted to molest her. The victim reported this to another police officer and that’s how the matter came to the knowledge of Alwar SP, who asked for filing a case against the accused SI. Medical check-up of the victim has been done in a local community health centre (CHC).”
It is unfortunate and sickening that the complainant was subjected to such a heinous crime by the protectors of the public when she went to file a harassment complaint against her husband. What is even more unfortunate is the fact that the national media didn’t care to give it mileage like the Hathras rape case. The latter rightfully grabbed the national headlines and the incident was unequivocally bashed across the nation. The Alwar case of Rajasthan should have been given the same treatment by the national media but unfortunately, it isn’t the case.