Alleging laxity and irregularities in the police probe into brutal rape and murder of a Dalit woman in Kerala, Union Social Justice and Empowerment minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot today charged the state police of "shielding" the accused.
Gehlot, who recently visited Kerala and met the family of the deceased woman in Ernakulam district, said, "According to the mother of the deceased woman, they had given several complaints to police against a local MLA, alleging the latter was threatening her for the last five six months. She said the local MLA had abused her daughter in the past and called her achoot (untouchable). The mother was openly accusing the local MLA for her daughter's death when I had gone to meet her.
"But then the police did not take any action. The Superintendent of Police also agreed that the deceased had given complaints but then he could not tell me why no action was being taken. It has been more than 12 days and still the accused has not been arrested. This is a matter of concern," Gehlot said.
Yesterday, Gehlot tabled a report in Parliament alleging "laxity and irregularities" in the police probe into the case.
"The post mortem report states that the incident happened between 1 and 4 PM but the police reached the crime spot at around 10 PM. Ideally either the District Collector or the SDM should have visited the spot immediately after the incident, but they were informed much later.
"Then the initial probe started with the charge of murder. Relevant sections of rape were added later. The post mortem report was available after four days of the incident. Evidence from the crime scene could have been lost in between. Also the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) amendment Act was added almost after four five days. So there have been serious irregularities and lacuna in the investigation," Gehlot alleged
He further said that deceased was from the SC community, and thus a senior police officer of the level of Deputy SP should have been entrusted with the investigation at the outset without waiting for the apprehension of the accused.
Considering the "severity and sensitivity" of the crime, an SIT should have been formed at the very outset, he said and questioned why an FIR in the case was not lodged by the victim's mother, despite her being present at the crime scene, but by a panchayat member.
Gehlot further alleged there was a delay of four days in
submitting the report to court which was not adequately explained.
"Despite all efforts, the suspected accused persons have not been apprehended and this is a matter of great anxiety and concern. The relative isolation of the family, unwillingness of the neighbour immediately after the incident to disclose facts relating to the occurrence and withdrawal of the deceased's sister into silence have deprived the investigation team of vital information," he said.
Gehlot said he brought these aspects to the notice of the District Collector and the SP at a meeting and asked them to ensure that they are taken into account in the process of investigation.
The minister said he had also interacted with a medical officer about the treatment being given to the deceased.
"The mother was psychologically affected by the tragic incident. She was disturbed and disconsolate. I consoled her and promised her that justice to the victim would be ensured and all appropriate assistance to the family would be given," he said.
"It is reported that the woman belonged to Scheduled Caste. The mother is reportedly from Backward Class. She was a student of law and a dancer. The family appears to be extremely poor with the daughter earning and partly and occasionally supporting the family," he said in his report.
The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakhs to the victim's family and promised a job for her sister which is pending clearance by the Election Commission. Under Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) rules 2016, the family will be entitled to further compensation of Rs 8.25 lakhs, he said.
"Also, under Dr Ambedkar National Relief scheme for Scheduled Caste Victims of Atrocities, the family will be entitled to one-time aid of Rs 5 lakhs for murder and Rs 2 lakhs for rape on the forwarding of the report by the District Collector and the state government. The amount will be released by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment," Gehlot said.
