KHRC orders investigation into rape of a woman in police station

Bangalore, Oct 15 (UNI) In a shocking incident a young woman, arrested and kept in illegal confinement in Koramangala police station in the city, was allegedly raped by a policeman in the police station late last month.

The incident came to light when the under trial prisoner and her husband, who were arrested on charges of theft, filed a complaint with the Karnataka State Human Rights Commissioner (KHRC).

Justice S R Nayak, Chairman of the KHRC told news persons here today that an investigation by the commission revealed that the couple were kept in illegal confinement by the police for more than a week and one of the cops, identified as C C Basavaraj, had raped the woman.

Later, the couple were lodged at Parappana Agrahara Central Jail where the woman first reported the incident to the Jail Medical Officer Dr Shashikala who asked her to complain to KHRC.

The commission which took up an investigation took statements from the couple and the doctor. It said the incident tantamount to offense of rape, apart from other crimes, and was punishable under IPC.

The Chairman asked the Commissioner of Police inquire into the matter and initiate action against the culprit. The Commission ordered all facilities be provided to the victim as per the judgment of Delhi Domestic working Women's Forum V/s Union of India and others(1995) 1 SSC 14 case.

Meanwhile Justice Nayak said the Commission would leave to Menasinahadya village in Chikmagalur district tomorrow to conduct inquiry into the killing of four persons by the Police recently.

Police had claimed that the four were members of Naxalite group and had fired at the police forcing them to return the fire in self defence. However, locals and NGOs claimed that it was a fake encounter and those killed were innocents.

UNI