HC orders suspension of cop over laxity in gangrape case

Allahabad, Feb 27 (UNI) Allahabad High Court has ordered suspension of an investigating officer (IO), besides departmental inquiry against him for ''extreme negligence'' in performance of duty and collusion with the accused in a gangrape case.

Passing the order, a division bench comprising Justices Sushil Harkauli and G P Srivastava did not agree with the statement of IO Ashok Solanki, present in the court, that the victim was not cooperating in the probe.

The court said directing the gangrape victim to appear at the police station was the most callous indifferance to her plight.

Prompt action in such matter is essential, the court remarked.

On December 15, 2006, an FIR was lodged at Bachhayan police station, J P Nagar district regarding the gangrape, but no arrest was made. The present petition was filed by Mrs Tamanna.

The court observed that in FIR, it had been mentioned that after the gangrape, the girl was kept at the house of village pradhan 'Afsari', who called three policemen, a sub-inspector and two constables, who threatened the victim that she should give a tutored statement before the police.

Meanwhile, the court has directed that the result of probe be reported by the new IO to the HC within three weeks.

UNI