Magadh range IG directs officers to expedite rape, Pocso cases

Gaya: Magadh Range IG Vikas Vaibhav on Thursday directed police officers to expedite investigation and follow-up in rape cases and those under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Earlier, he reviewed pending rape and Pocso cases from police stations in the Tekari sub-division and other parts of Gaya district. Tekari SDPO and other investigating officers attended the meeting.Several sensational rape cases have been reported in Gaya in recent months, including the gang rape of a woman passenger in Belaganj police station area, where nearly half a dozen miscreants allegedly assaulted her at a secluded location.In another case of last July, a woman aspiring for a home guard job was raped inside an ambulance. She had collapsed during a physical fitness test and was being taken to a medical college, as no primary healthcare facility was available at the test venue. The incident had drawn national attention.The IG told this newspaper that he has sought district-wise status reports on all serious cases, particularly those involving crimes against women and children. More review meetings will be held in the coming days.On the status of the widely reported ambulance gang rape case, in which the aspirant was allegedly assaulted by a health department worker and the ambulance driver, the IG said he has asked the Bodh Gaya SDPO to submit a report.“Review is being conducted in phases, and the state govt is serious about bringing perpetrators of heinous crimes to justice. No laxity will be tolerated,” he said.The IG also directed officers to ensure that all complaints are registered promptly so that complainants do not have to run from pillar to post.