New Delhi: The Budaun Police Saturday booked Ughaiti Station House Officer Raghavendra Pratap Singh and police outpost in-charge Amarjeet Singh for not taking action when the family of a 50-year-old woman, who was allegedly gang raped and murdered last Sunday, approached police Monday.
An FIR under Section 166A (public servant disobeying direction law) of the Indian Penal Code has been registered against the two.
Speaking to ThePrint, Inspector General Bareilly, Rajesh Kumar Pandey said, “Both of them booked under 166A as they denied the complainant’s right to lodge the FIR. The family contacted both of them, but they didn’t do anything about it, didn’t do any formalities required to be followed in such crimes.”
The 50-year-old anganwadi worker was allegedly gang-raped and murdered by a priest, Satyanarayan, and his two disciples Vedram and Jaspal Sunday night when she went to a temple in Mevali village.
According to sources, the SHO had allegedly refused to pay heed to the woman’s family when they came to the Ughaiti Police Station to lodge an FIR. He also allegedly did not inform his seniors about the extent of the crime and the circumstances of the woman’s death, saying she had died in an accident.
Further, he did not visit the crime scene nor collect the woman’s body to send for post mortem. The woman’s body was taken by the police after 3 pm Monday when they reached Kiyoli village in response to a 112 (police helpline) call made by the family.
The outpost incharge also allegedly did not respond to the family’s complaint and took no action on the matter.
The FIR against the accused was lodged Tuesday after a post-mortem report revealed the woman had suffered multiple severe injuries, including “tears” in her private parts, and died of trauma and excessive bleeding.
The post mortem was conducted more than 24 hours after the alleged crime took place.
Two of the accused were arrested Wednesday, while the priest, who was absconding, was apprehended Thursday night. A reward of Rs 50,000 had been announced to aid his arrest.
Also read: ‘Our room was soaked in maa’s blood’ — how UP anganwadi worker bled to death after ‘gang rape’
Priest claims he was having an affair with victim
Requesting anonymity, a police officer investigating the case told ThePrint that the accused priest claimed he was having an affair with the deceased.
“He said that he was having an affair with the victim and another woman at the same time and when the 50-year-old [victim] came to know of it, she started fighting with him Sunday evening. Following the scuffle, according to the accused, she jumped into the well and then he called his aides to get her out of it,” the police officer said.
“However, the priest has been changing his statements during interrogation since the time of his arrest,” the officer added.
The police are now questioning the other woman named by the accused as well as the women who visited the priest in the temple.
Satyanarayan, whose original name is Satyaveer Singh, moved to the village seven years ago.
A local court Friday sent him to judicial custody till 18 January.
Also read: Before Hathras and Balrampur, UP reported at least 6 rape-murders in August
Their behavior is standard practice all across this backward, poverty-stricken land. Fact is, these goons masquerading as police, are the biggest bunch of criminals across this land. The poor and lower-castes are treated with contempt and not deserving of their attention…only the rich and upper-castes are worthy.
Following strong steps are necessary.
1) All police officials in the district of rape should be demoted.
2) MLA AND PANCHAYAT MEMBERS of that area TO BE DISMISSED.
3) IF Judiciary can’t decide the case within a month after receiving police and medical records. The judge handlimg the case should be terminated from his job.
4) If media is found harassing rape victims family for interview the concerned channel owner , editor and reporter should be sent to jail under UAPA.
5) FINALLY If the family of the victim wants to hang the rapist than It should be allowed.