Booked for rape, 2 cops suspended

Tribune News Service

Barnala, November 21

The Tallewal police today registered a case of rape against an ASI, a head constable (HC) and another person. The Barnala SSP, Harjeet Singh, has suspended both cops and ordered an inquiry in the case.

The SSP said the victim, a married woman, had approached the police in connection with the registration of an FIR and she came in contact with the accused cops, who then allegedly raped her. “The Tallewal police have registered a case under Sections 376C and 34 IPC against ASI Baldev Singh, head constable Tarun Kumar and one Jagdev Singh,” the SSP said.

“A thorough investigation is underway. The victim has claimed that the three accused had raped her at some place between Patiala and Barnala. The SHO is probing the matter,” he added.

ASP Pragya Jain said the victim had alleged that on November 13, a man opened fire on her two neighbours and she was witnessed to the incident. She said she had gone to Rajindra Hospital in Patiala along with the accused cops to record the statements of both injured neighbours. “The victim claimed that on their way back the cops raped her in a moving car between Patiala and Barnala,” said Jain. She said the police were probing the charges.