Rape case: Policeman under scanner for aiding Soonawala

The Mumbai Police has also also written to the Director General of Police asking him to suspend Darade,who was transferred for his proximity to the doctor. “We have written to the DG office requesting that Darade be suspended,” said Vishwas Nangre-Patil,Additional Commissioner of Police (West Region).

Three police constables were sent to Soonawala’s residence at Five Gardens,Wadala,on May 18 morning to summon him to the police station for recording his statement. Soonawala allegedly convinced the constables to let him come in his own car accompanied by two of the three cops. Soonawala then allegedly fled while they were mid-way between Khar police station and Wadala.

After the victim’s husband accused the police of helping the doctor escape,Pratap Dighavkar,who held additional charge as Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 9) began an inquiry in the matter. The investigation was also transferred to Inspector Asha Korke,attached to Powai police station.

Police officers investigating the rape case said they had not exercised the option of taking Soonawala into custody for a maximum of 24 hours to take blood and semen samples,as they are preparing to appeal in the Supreme Court to obtain the doctors’ police custody for investigations.

The police have said that custodial interrogation of Soonawala would be crucial to their investigations.

Cheering Dorje,Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 9) said,“We are going for appeal in the Supreme court for Soonawala’s custody.”

The police had submitted a report before the Bombay High Court on semen stains found on a bed sheet in Soonawala’s clinic,where he had examined the victim. Soonawala was allegedly the only male member in the room as the victim’s husband was seated outside.

The police argued that they needed Soonawala’s custody as he could tamper with medical reports. However,the doctor was granted anticipatory bail against a surety of Rs 1 lakh. The court had then directed the police not to arrest Soonawala until a chargesheet is filed.

The High Court,however,said that the police could take Soonawala into custody for conducting blood and semen tests. He can be kept in custody for 12 hours if the tests are conducted in Mumbai or for 24 hours if the tests are conducted outside Mumbai,the court had said.

According to police officers,while semen stains were found on the bedsheet a report of the woman’s clothes was negative as no semen traces was found on them. The police said that since medical tests on the victim were conducted a day after the alleged incident,and since she is married,it would be difficult to prove rape through medical tests alone.

“Apart from the medical examination,a witness in the case — a receptionist at Soonawala’s Khar clinic — has contradicted the doctors’ statement and said on the day of the incident the doctor had closed his cabin door when the victim was inside,” a police

officer said.