Probe begins into cops’ role in Nalagarh rape case

IGP, CID, Santosh Patial today arrived at Nalagarh to probe the role of police officials in the case where a rape victim had alleged the lack of timely action on her complaint.

Patial was directed by the state High Court on September 11 to hold an impartial inquiry into the role of each and every official named by the victim, from the Sub Divisional Police Officer and his subordinate staff. He would submit a report to the court within three weeks.

The court passed the order on a petition filed by a victim who alleged that she had filed a complaint at Nalagarh police station on February 9 against three persons who had tried to rape her but instead of taking any action against the culprits, police officials were harassing her on one pretext or the other.

She alleged that the police officials came to her home every day and threatened to put her behind bars if she did not change her statement. Not only this, the police personnel visited her parents’ house and encouraged them to negotiate with the accused.

The court observed that records reveal that probably a safe passage was given to the accused in this case to facilitate the safe exit of the accused and the evidence allowed to be destroyed or not collected, who surrendered only after the petitioner had moved an application in the Court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Nalagarh, seeking police protection.

The Magistrate vide its order dated May 2, 2024, had directed the SHO, Police Station, Nalagarh to provide police protection to the victim, whereas, the accused came and surrendered in the Police Station on May 3, 2024.

Victim ‘threatened’

The rape victim has alleged that the police officials visited her home every day and threatened to put her behind bars if she did not change her statement