Pune cop suspended for pressuring rape survivor's family in POCSO case

A Head Constable of Pune Police has been suspended for pressurising a minor rape survivor's family in a case registered under the POCSO Act.

In Short

• Pune Police Head Constable suspended for pressurising minor rape survivor's kin
• Incident came to light when family attempted to withdraw statements
• Girl claims multiple sexual assaults

A Pune Police Head Constable has been suspended for pressurising a minor rape survivor's family in a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The development came after the Bombay High Court sought a probe report from the Pune Police on allegations that the Head Constable pressured the family to withdraw their complaint.

The issue came to light when the 10-year-old survivor's family attempted to withdraw their statements in a courtroom but disclosed the coercion by the constable, identified as Sudhir Holkar, and others while speaking to the judge in chambers.

The girl claimed that she was sexually assaulted multiple times.

The court then sought the probe report after higher officials of Pune Police gave a clean chit to Holkar and said that the rape survivor's family was not under pressure.

But the court came down heavily on this and directed the Superintendent of Police, Pune (Rural) to look into the issue.

At a recent hearing led by Justice Madhav Jamdar, Pankaj Deshmukh, Superintendent of Police, Pune (Rural), tendered an unconditional apology and said that Holkar was suspended for his behaviour, conduct and manner in which he presented himself before the High Court.

Deshmukh also pointed to various steps taken to ensure proper assistance to the court for disposal of bail applications.

He said that the concerned police personnel who are attending the High Court proceedings should be in police uniform at the time of hearing the matter.

At the same hearing, Justice Jamdar also directed that police personnel of a Sub-Inspector rank or a higher post from the Pune (Rural) Police are only authorised to attend court proceedings.

The court also said that "no police personnel shall travel to the High Court in their private vehicle".

"An official vehicle shall be provided for travelling to Mumbai and the same shall depart at 6 am every day from the Police Control Cell, Pune (Rural) and a WhatsApp group for Pune (Rural) Police Officials has been created for coordination with regard to cases in the Bombay High Court."

Published By:
Karishma Saurabh Kalita
Published On:
Apr 14, 2024