Woman accuses cop of rape; HC seeks Centre, Delhi govt reply

The Delhi High Court today sought the Center and city government's responses on a woman's plea accusing a Delhi police officer of having raped her for three years on a false promise of marriage and seeking a CBI probe into the case.
Justice Veena Birbal, before whom the matter was listed, directed the state government to file its status report before the next date of hearing, March 12.
The petition, filed by advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal, alleges that ever since the woman lodged a complaint against the accused police officer, the SHO of the area where she lives has been calling her up to settle the matter and that she has been offered Rs 10 lakh for the same.

The woman claims to have recorded a conversation she had with the SHO in which he allegedly asked her to settle the matter with the accused.
She has alleged the SHO has told her "that he is personally interested in the present case because of the instructions of one Assistant Commissioner of Police."
The petition has sought initiation of criminal proceedings against the police officer accused of having raped her and the SHO.

The petitioner has sought a CBI probe alleging that "in the present case the Delhi Police cannot hold a free and fair investigation as the accused is its own officer."

The petition alleges an FIR for the offence of rape was lodged against the accused police officer only after she approached a metropolitan court for the same.
The accused, a Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police, has already obtained anticipatory bail, the petition says.