A decision that changed their lives

Two decades on,Intezam terms his decision as the biggest ‘blunder of his life’. Intezam is father of 14-year-girl Sonam,who was allegedly raped and murdered on the premises of the Nighasan police station last week.

“I was convinced by my father’s argument that no one would harass us if we lived close to the police station,” Intezam,who lives in a thatched house with his family that comprises his wife and seven children,including Sonam,said.

Incidentally,Intezam,a labourer,was involved in the construction of the new building of the Nighasan police station,which was established during the British period. Little did he know that the people manning the same police station would spell doom for his daughter.

On Tuesday,Intezam had little time to grieve his loss as he was busy meeting politicians who made a beeline to “console” him.

Apart from politicians,a two-member team of the National Human Rights Commission comprising DSP-rank officer T S Rao and Inspector Anil Sharma also met him to collect details about the incident.

“I told them all I know. I also told them that the case should be handed over to the CBI,” he said.

When contacted,Rao refused to give any information,but said they would continue their probe on Wednesday as well.

What is troubling Intezam is that the government ruling out the rape angle. “They confirm the murder but are silent on the rape,” he said. Intezam’s wife Tarannum,who had first seen Sonam’s body hanging from a tree on the police station premises on Friday,interrupted. “I saw her nude body. I am convinced that she was raped,” she said.

Both demanded that the policemen who were put under suspension after the incident must be paraded before them to enable them to identify the erring cops.

Meanwhile,the CB-CID team investigating the case examined the site where Sonam’s body was found. They also met Intezam and his wife. CB-CID officials also questioned the suspended doctors who had conducted the first post-mortem on the girl.

“I am not in position to say anything regarding our investigation. We will submit our report to the state government at the earliest,” D P Singh,Additional SP in CB-CID wing,said.

The policemen at the main gate of the Nighasan police station had a tough time keeping out the supporters accompanying the politicians,all of whom wanted to see the spot where Sonam was found hanging.

“This is a unique case in which the police station is the scene of crime. It is difficult to keep the people stay away from the main gate,” remarked a PAC jawan.