Went to File Gangrape Complaint, UP Minor Allegedly Raped by SHO in Police Station; Cop Arrested

A 13-year-old rape survivor was allegedly raped by the Station House Officer (SHO) when she went to report the incident at a police station in Lalitpur district of Uttar Pradesh. The SHO is on the run, and three of the five accused, including a woman, have been arrested so far. The SHO, Tilak Dhari Saroj, has been arrested from Prayagraj.

Four men allegedly kidnapped the girl from the area under the Pali police station and gang-raped her on April 22. She then ran away from their captivity and reached the police station where she was allegedly harassed by SHO Tilakdhari Saroj who later raped her.

She told the entire incident to the Lalitpur Superintendent of Police (SP) who then suspended the SHO. The investigation has begun against the five accused including the SHO, and a case has been registered against them under Sections 363, 376, 376B, 120B of the IPC and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and 3(2)5 of the SC/ST Act.

Lalitpur SP Nikhil Pathak told the media, “A minor has been allegedly raped by four boys on April 22. When she was brought to the police station, the SHO raped her as well. A case has been registered against six accused, including the SHO who has been suspended.”

The three arrested have been identified as Rajbhan, Mahendra and Gulab Bai, who is the girl’s aunt. Six police teams have been deployed to nab others.

Additional Director General Law and Order Prashant Kumar has sent the entire staff to the police lines and said strict action will be taken in the case.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav met the family of the gang-rape survivor in Lalitpur and demanded adequate security for them, while calling the police stations in Uttar Pradesh “centres of anarchy”.

“I met the mother of the gang-rape survivor. The family said they want security and legal help, and demanded strict action against those who committed such a crime. The family wants justice,” Yadav told reporters after meeting the family. “The family needs help from the government. They need security otherwise they will not be able to fight for justice,” he said, adding that his party will extend legal aid and if required any other kind of help to the family members.

(With PTI inputs)

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