Woman alleges rape inside police station, constable held

Jamshedpur: A 20-year-old woman has alleged that she was raped inside a police station in Seraikela-Kharsawan district on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday. Police have arrested the accused constable, who is posted as a wireless operator at the police station.Seraikela-Kharsawan SP Manoj Swargiary on Saturday suspended four other police personnel for alleged negligence and dereliction of duty. They are the officer in-charge of the police station, two sub-inspectors and a constable.Police sources said the woman had gone to the police station on Thursday to lodge a complaint against her husband over a domestic dispute. As it was late, she was allowed to stay in a room on the police station premises for the night.In her complaint, the woman alleged that the constable on duty entered the room late at night and raped her. She claimed she screamed for help but no one responded. She then picked up a knife lying nearby and injured the accused in self-defence, following which he fled.The woman also alleged that some police personnel offered her money the next morning and asked her to return home instead of pursuing the complaint.Swargiary has constituted a special investigation team, headed by SDPO Anubhav Bhardwaj, to probe the case.“An FIR has been registered on the basis of the woman’s written complaint. Her medical examination will be conducted as per prescribed procedure,” Bhardwaj said. “Investigation is under way,” he added.Bhardwaj and a police team visited the police station on Friday night, sealed the room where the alleged sexual assault took place and secured it to preserve evidence.Stay updated with the latest Ranchi news. Download the TOI App.