Five cops suspended in connection with death of minor girl

"The postmortem report of the girl has revealed the cause of death as hanging. The police personnel, who were earlier charged under 302 (murder) of IPC section, would now be booked under new sections in view of the fresh facts," Uttarkashi SP Rajiv Swaroop said, adding the accused would be brought to justice.

Aanchal (16), a resident of Chhara village of Uttarkashi, was picked by Tehri police on the night of May 22 after her maternal uncle Deepak Mahar, a resident of nearby Makhna village, had eloped with a girl of adjoining Tehri district.

Police had come in search of her father Dinesh Rawat. However, when they did not find Rawat and his wife, they took Aanchal along with them. After remaining in police custody for one full night, Aanchal was released next morning and was dropped at her home by the police.

However, within hours of her release, she died.

Angry residents of Purola area had yesterday indulged in arson and demanded stern action against erring policemen.

Five police personnel-- Senior Sub Inspector K K Tamta, Sub Inspector R S Bist and constables, Roshan Lal, Devraj and Sangita-- (all posted at New Tehri police station) have been suspended with immediate effect on the basis of the preliminary inquiry that some irregularities were done in picking up the minor girl, said Tehri Superintendent of Police (SP) Janmeyjaya Khanduri.

He said an inquiry has also been ordered into the incident to be conducted by Circle Officer of Tehri.

Khanduri said the situation in Purola is now under control.

Chief minister Vijay Bahuguna had yesterday said strict action would be taken against the culprits. "We will not spare anybody found guilty in the case," said Bahuguna.