A severe incident of misconduct within law enforcement ranks has unfolded in Saraikela, Jharkhand, where a woman seeking justice was allegedly violated inside a police station. A 20-year-old complainant, who arrived to lodge a report concerning domestic violence, faced assault right inside the official facility. Taking prompt cognizance of the matter, Superintendent of Police Manoj Swargiary initiated sweeping administrative and criminal actions, penalizing a total of 15 personnel. Three officers have been remanded to judicial custody, while nine station personnel faced immediate suspension on grounds of gross negligence.
Late-Night Arrival and Overnight Stay Inside Station Premises
The victim arrived at the Gamharia police station late on the night of October 29, intending to register an official domestic violence complaint against her husband. Because the hour was exceedingly late, duty staff authorized her to remain overnight inside a dedicated room located within the station compound. Expecting institutional protection and legal recourse, the young woman took shelter there, unaware of the grave ordeal that would unfold during the night.
Unauthorized Entry, Physical Struggle and Allegations of Hush Money
According to the complainant, wireless operator and constable Neeraj Lakra entered the room without permission and sexually assaulted her. Fighting back in self-defence, she used a small knife against her assailant, causing him injuries and forcing him to flee the spot. In a further alarming revelation, the survivor stated that on the following morning, certain station personnel offered her money in an attempt to suppress the crime and prevent formal legal action from being initiated.
SIT Formed as Three Accused Personnel Face Judicial Custody
Upon receiving the complaint, authorities promptly arrested Neeraj Lakra. Recognizing the severity of the allegations, SP Manoj Swargiary directed the Saraikela Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) to head a dedicated Special Investigation Team (SIT). During subsequent investigations, the involvement and culpable roles of Sub-Inspector Manoj Kumar Sahu and Constable Santosh Kumar Rai also came to light. Both were formally apprehended and remanded to judicial custody, bringing the total tally of arrested personnel to three.
Nine Personnel Suspended Over Severe Lapses in Duty
Acting upon the SDPO's investigative report, the district police chief issued suspension orders against nine police station staffers on Sunday for dereliction of duty and severe security lapses. The suspended officers include Sub-Inspectors Ajay Paswan, Lallan Ravidas, and Vishnu Oraon, alongside Assistant Sub-Inspectors Mukesh Kujur, Mukesh Ravidas, and Sitaram Singh Pahan. Head Constables Pitambar Mahto and Bahadur Hansda, as well as Constable Manoj Gorai, were likewise placed under immediate suspension.
Superintendent Inspects Crime Scene and Orders Constant Monitoring
On Sunday, SP Manoj Swargiary personally visited Gamharia police station to conduct an on-site inspection of the crime scene. He interrogated deployed personnel individually and recorded their statements on record. The SP stated that the SIT is conducting an impartial examination of every detail, asserting that strict penal measures will follow for anyone established to be guilty. He additionally instructed station heads throughout the district to maintain round-the-clock surveillance across station premises and rigorously oversee the conduct of all staff.
