Mangaluru: Court penalizes police officers for mishandling POCSO case
Team Udayavani, Jun 27, 2023, 3:51 PM IST
The Mangalore District Additional and POCSO Special Court has taken stern action against police officers involved in protecting the accused and falsely implicating innocent individuals in a POCSO case.
Three senior police officers, Circle Inspector Lokesh A.C, Sub-Inspector Srikala, and Sub-Inspector Pushparani, have been found guilty of negligence and dereliction of duty in the investigation.
The court ruling highlights that the officers failed to properly interrogate witnesses, examine relevant documents, and conduct a thorough investigation into the POCSO case.
Shockingly, they wrongfully filed a case against innocent laborers named Chandrappa and Prasad, while the actual culprits remained unaccounted for. As a consequence, the court has ordered heavy fines against the officers, with Rs. 4 lakh to be paid to Chandrappa and Rs. 1 lakh to Prasad within 40 days.
It is said that the victim, a resident of Vidyanagar Makki in Shirtadi village, lodged a complaint at Mangalore Women’s Police Station alleging that Prasad from the same town had raped her, resulting in a four-month pregnancy. However, during her statement before the Mangalore JMFC judge, the victim clarified that it was her landlord, Sandesh, and not Prasad, who committed the crime. Despite her fear of reprisal, she mentioned Prasad’s name in court.
Subsequently, on October 12, 2022, during further interrogation by Sub-Inspector Srikala, the victim altered her statement, accusing her father, Chandrappan, of the rape. Based on this new statement, Chandrappan was arrested on October 17, 2022, and produced before the court.
Former Circle Inspector Lokesh A.C., who served as the investigating officer in the case, is facing charges of negligence for not registering a case against the accused Sandesh. Additionally, it has been alleged that the blood sample of Sandesh, as well as that of the complainant’s father Chandrappa, was sent for DNA testing, while Sandesh’s sample was reportedly omitted.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
Karnataka bypolls: Outcome crucial for both ruling and oppn camps
Belagavi: Was youth killed for an iPhone? Police launch intensive probe
K’taka Health Minister calls for collaborative efforts to combat Antimicrobial Resistance
Public Alert: Cyber fraudsters impersonating traffic police to demand fines
Centre releases 15th Finance Commission grant for rural local bodies in Karnataka
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
Musk says X now top news app on App Store in India
Delhi court stays defamation case against CM Atishi
Sambhal Jama Masjid row: Friday prayers held peacefully amid tight security
Honouring ex-NASA scientist’s last wish, family donates ancestral house to Meerut varsity
Decide on disqualification petitions against BRS MLAs in reasonable time: HC
Thanks for visiting Udayavani
You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.