Seraikela - The safest place became horror. On Oct 29 night, woman had altercation with husband, feared beating, went to neighbour's house, called police via mobile. PCR van brought her to Gamharia police station. Officers gave her room to rest. Wireless operator at station raped her. Constable arrested Saturday, SIT formed on SP Manoj Swargiary orders. Based on SIT report, suspended Sub-Inspector Manoj Sahu and constable Santosh Rai arrested Sunday. Total three arrests, five personnel including officer-in-charge suspended for dereliction.
BJP wrote to National Commission for Women - MLA Purnima Das Sahu said CCTV footage must be preserved, survivor provided legal adviser. BJP workers led by vice-president Geeta Koda protested demanding capital punishment.
Analytically, police station rape is rarest of rare breach of trust. Supreme Court in 2020 said custodial rape must attract life till death. Jharkhand has poor recorr' - NCRB 2023: 12 custodial rapes, conviction 2.
Why Gamharia? Industrial area - many migrant women, police station has no women staff at night, no CCTV in rooms (only entrance). Woman's complaint - fearing husband - police should have taken to Sakhi One Stop Centre, not police station room.
Need: women help desk 24x7, body cameras, external audit of police stations, fast-track court.
BJP using case against JMM govt - CM Hemant Soren's law and order under question before 2027 polls.
Tags: #Jharkhand #Gamharia #PoliceRape #Seraikela #CustodialRape #NCW #BJP #HemantSoren #WomensSafety #SIT