Assam: Cop held for taking Rs 5 lakh 'bribe' to hush up rape, murder of minor

GUWAHATI: The criminal investigation department (CID) on Tuesday arrested a police officer after he was found taking a bribe of Rs 5 lakh from one Krishna Kamal Baruah while probing a case against him on charges of allegedly raping and murdering a 13-year-old domestic help in June.
The arrested cop - Utpal Bora - the then officer in-charge of Dhula police station in Assam's Darrang district, had been under suspension since August 12. Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, dissatisfied with the probe after a visit to the residence of the victim at Proja Pathar in Dhekiajuli, had ordered Bora's suspension as well as that of SP Raj Mohan Ray and additional SP Rupam Phukan.
CID SP Pranab Jyoti Goswami said in a press statement, "The bank statement of Baruah, the call records, tower location and travel history analysis have been done in detail and after examining all the relevant witnesses, it has been found that Bora received the amount in instalments from Baruah."
Bora has been arrested for involvement in criminal conspiracy, cheating and framing incorrect records or writing with intent to save a person from punishment or property from forfeiture.
The girl was working at Baruah's house in the Dhula area as a domestic help. She was found dead in the house on June 11. Police concluded it as a case of suicide and arrested Baruah in September and his family members on charges of abetment to suicide. It was during this time that Bora allegedly took the bribe to hush up the case.
Dissatisfied with the probe, the CM on August 12 directed the CID to conduct the investigation into the case. During the probe, the investigating agency exhumed the body of the girl, got a second post-mortem conducted, consulted a panel of forensic medical experts and conducted the DNA profiling of Baruah "which matched with the fluids on the clothes of the victim".
"Adequate evidence has been brought on record to prove the offences of molestation, murder, destruction of evidence, attempt to rape under IPC and sexual assault on a minor child under POCSO Act," the CID SP said. Baruah is currently in judicial custody.