Model rape case: Preliminary Enquiry points to professional lapses by suspended DIG

Mumbai, Nov 6: In more trouble for suspended DIG Sunil Paraskar, accused of molestation and rape by a city-based model, a preliminary enquiry (PE) by the Mumbai police found professional lapses on his part while dealing with the victim before she filed police complaint in the case.

The PE was conducted by Joint Police Commissioner (Administration) Vivek Phansalkar, who submitted the report to Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria.

"The PE report found professional lapses on the part of Paraskar. The report has been submitted to the Director General of Police Sanjeev Dayal," Maria told PTI.

While conducting the PE, Phansalkar recorded the statements of the accused, victim, witnesses and observed other evidences gathered by Crime Branch while carrying out investigation in the case, Maria said today.

The DGP will submit the report to the Home Minister following which a departmental enquiry is likely to be ordered against Paraskar, who was suspended on August 26, police sources said. DGP Dayal was unavailable for the comment.

Mumbai Police had earlier submitted an investigation progress report of rape case to Dayal, who had forwarded it to the state government which subsequently placed Paraskar under suspension.

The PE had been ordered to find out if there were any administrative lapses by Paraskar while dealing with the model.

According to sources, Paraskar, who claimed to have "friendly relationship" with the 25-year-old victim, violated Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules and his behaviour amounts to belittling the image of All-India Service Officers.

According to police, Paraskar travelled with the model beyond his jurisdiction (to Navi Mumbai) and took expensive gifts from her without prior permission of his seniors.

There were also regular conversations between them. The model, in her complaint in July, alleged the 57-year-old officer molested and sexually assaulted her on two occasions in December 2013.

According to her, she met Paraskar first in 2012 when he was Additional Commissioner of Police with regard to a case.

A city court granted pre-arrest bail to Paraskar, observing that "it appears from the behaviour of the complainant and her e-mails that the act must be committed with consent."

PTI