SP orders probe into rape attempt by cop

DHENKANAL: Police sprung into action after District and Sessions Judge Pranita Mohanty recently recorded the statement of 29-year-old woman, who had accused the Rasol Police Station Officer in-Charge of attempting to rape her. Initiating a probe into the incident, SP Basant Kumar Panigrahi on Friday directed Hindol SDPO to look into the matter.

The accused had allegedly raided the victim’s house on October 22 on the pretext of finding ganja stocks. The accused had then enquired about the victim’s mother, who was not present at that time. Meanwhile, the police officer allegedly attempted to assault the victim sexually, sources said.

However, when the victim raised alarm, another woman from the neighbourhood came to her rescue, following which the accused fled from the spot. Later, the victim disclosed the matter to her family members.  The victim apparently informed the Superintendent of Police about the incident.

According to the victim’s lawyer Pratap Narayan Tripathy, a case was registered in the court of District and Sessions Judge on November 1.

SP Panigrahi refuted allegations of police inaction, claiming that he was absent from work for the past two days. He, however, admitted to have received the photocopied version of written complaint by post, which is not considered for filing a police complaint.