Sharavasti rape: SP and CO suspended, SO dismissed

Lucknow, July 13 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh government today suspended Sharavasti SP Luv Kumar and dismissed a station officer following allegtions of rape of women by a group of men led by the brother of a state minister.

Circle Officer (CO) Maya Ram Verma was also placed under suspension.

The July 10 incident was a result of dispute between two families over elopement of a girl named Vandana with one Salim.

The Opposition today alleged in the State Legislative Assembly that four women from the minority community at village Dhannipurwa under Sisiya police station in Sharavasti district were raped on July 10.

They claimed that houses of the minorities were looted and the mob of about 1,000 people led by brother of the minister even paraded the women naked.

The FIR of the case was registered on July 12.

Although the government denied the role of any minister and ruled out rape prima facie, SP Kumar and CO Verma were suspended. SO Sisiya police station Naveen Mishra was dismissed.

Mr Kumar is a 2003 batch IPS officer.

The government is likely to post Rajesh Srivastava as the new SP of Sharavasti, sources said.

Meanwhile, Commissioner, Devipatan division has been asked to probe the case.

State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Lalji Verma also denied any communal tension in the area even as additional forces were rushed to the spot.

The Opposition members trooped into the well of the House leading to adjournment for about 40 minutes even as the SP members raised anti-government slogans demanding dismissal of the minister.

UNI