Bhopal gang-rape: Shivraj Singh Chouhan orders SIT probe, assures action against negligent policemen

Representational image

Bhopal: In a latest development in the Bhopal gang-rape case, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday announced that a Special Investigation (SIT) has been formed to probe the case.

While assuring a fair and speedy probe, the CM said, “The negligent policemen will not be spared, action will be taken against them.”

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday held a meeting with senior police officers and ordered action against the errant officers.

A 19-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped for three hours by four men in the state capital Tuesday evening.

The four men allegedly tied the girl and took turns to sexually assault her. The accused, as per the reports, even took tea and gutkha breaks before returning to repeatedly rape her.

The alleged victim's mother is a police constable, while father is associated with Railway Protection Force (RPF).

Four police officials in Madhya Pradesh were suspended on Friday and the city Superintendent of Police (SP) was transferred over a delay in lodging a complaint of the victim.

Director General of Police (DGP) RK Shukla announced the suspension of the four officials -- three inspectors and a sub-inspector -- for their alleged negligence which led to the delay in registering the offence.

"Officer In-charge of MP Nagar Police Station Sanjay Singh Bais, Habibganj Police Station In-charge Ravindra Yadav and In-charge of GRP Police Station of Habibgaj Railway Station Mohit Saxena have been suspended on charges of dereliction of duty."

Two Sub Inspectors of MP Nagar and GRP police stations had also been suspended, and the Superintendent of Police of MP Nagar area attached to the police headquarters, Deuskar said.

The victim, whose parents are police personnel themselves and posted in another city, was returning from coaching classes late on Tuesday evening when she was accosted by four inebriated persons near the Habibganj Railway Station who raped her for three hours.

Two city police stations kept dilly-dallying over registering of the FIR, saying the place of occurrence did not fall within their area. Finally, the case was registered two days after the incident. Two of the accused have been arrested.

Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Makrand Deuskar told the media: "Officer In-charge of MP Nagar Police Station Sanjay Singh Bais, Habibganj Police Station In-charge Ravindra Yadav and In-charge of GRP Police Station of Habibgaj Railway Station Mohit Saxena have been suspended on charges of dereliction of duty."