A 30-year-old patient with bone cancer has claimed that he was sexually assaulted at a police station in HaryanaKurukshetra district. of Special Investigation Team (SIT) while investigating the case has recorded the statements of the suspended police personnel and is waiting for the medical and forensic reports.
The case came to light after the survivor, a bank employee undergoing treatment for bone cancer, alleged that he was sexually assaulted and abused, including sodomy, while in police custody at Ladwa police station.
According to the complaint, the man was returning home on a motorcycle on the night of June 17 when police officers stopped him at a checkpoint on Indri Street. An argument allegedly broke out over a cloth covering his face.
He alleged that the police officers slapped him, grabbed his mobile phone and forcibly took him to Ladwa police station. Despite informing them of his medical condition, he was allegedly assaulted, taunted about his illness and sexually abused while in custody.
The accused personnel have also undergone medical examinations at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital in Kurukshetra, while the SIT is awaiting the medical and forensic reports of the complainant from Chandigarh, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Nirmal Singh, who heads the three-member SIT.
“The investigation is being conducted in a fair and impartial manner. All evidence, witness statements and medical records are being reviewed,” he told the media.
According to the complaint, the man’s health deteriorated a day after the alleged incident, after which he was taken to the hospital for treatment.
In the meantime, the police have provided security for the complainant, with a home guard volunteer deployed to assist him during treatment and related procedures.
The SIT will submit its findings to the Superintendent of Police after receiving and analyzing the pending medical and forensic reports, Singh said.
Earlier, Kurukshetra Superintendent of Police Chander Mohan had said that he visited the Ladwa police station and questioned the personnel named in the complaint. He had also said that the complainant was suspected to be under the influence of alcohol and had abused the police personnel during the search.
Officials, however, maintained that the allegations made by the complainant are being investigated independently through the SIT.
Meanwhile, members of the Scheduled Caste community held a meeting at Ravidas Dharamshala in Kurukshetra and demanded a transparent and impartial probe. Community leaders alleged that the complainant and his family were under pressure and demanded clarity on the progress of the investigation.
They demanded strict legal action if the allegations are found to be true and warned of a democratic agitation if justice is delayed.
(with PTI input)
