Inspector under fire gets clean chit

“The report said nothing against the officer,” Surajit Purakayastha,IG,Law and Order,West Bengal,told The Indian Express on Thursday. “Now,nothing can be done as there was nothing against the officer in the report,” a Home Department official added.

It was also mentioned in the report that it was delayed since the police team faced problems in tracing the girl and then taking her into confidence. The report also said that while seven persons were arrested,a manhunt had been launched to trace the five others,who are absconding.

The girl’s molestation and videograph of her humiliation took place in May,but the police were totally in the dark about it. In the first week of August,a television channel aired the news. The Womens’ Commission sent a team to the village led by chairperson Malini Bhattacharya. After talking to the girl,her parents and neighbours,the team sent a scathing report to the state government,putting the IC in the dock and demanding stern action against him.

Following this,the Governor’s secretary Chandan Sinha wrote to the government,saying that the Governor was moved by the plight of the girl and wanted disciplinary action against the officer. “Till the proceedings are over,the officer should be put under suspension,” the letter read. The request was ignored. “We will send a copy of the report to the Governor,” said a Home Department official.