4 cops suspended over murder by Pocso case absconders

Rajkot: Four policemen, including an investigation officer, have been suspended by Rajkot Range Inspector General of Police (IGP) Nirlipt Rai in connection with the murder of a rape survivor’s uncle by two people who are still evading arrest in the same sexual assault case.

All four cops were posted with the Rajkot Rural police.

The suspended officers include Inspector and IO of the Pocso case H N Rathod, then station house officer police inspector S N Parmar, sub-inspector J J Vala, and assistant sub-inspector Bhagirathsinh Jadeja.

A special team of more than 100 police personnel has been formed to trace and arrest the absconding assailant who was earlier booked under Pocso for the minor’s alleged rape.

Talking to TOI, Rai said, “I have ordered the suspension of four policemen for negligence. The man accused of raping the minor remained at large for a long time and returned to the same jurisdiction of Padadhari police station to commit another serious crime. The duo continues to evade arrest.”

In April 2024, a complaint of rape under Pocso was lodged at the Padadhari police station, naming Mahendrasinh Jadeja, Yashpalsinh Jadeja, Ajaysinh Jadeja and the survivor’s aunt. Ajaysinh is currently in judicial custody, while the aunt has been released on bail.

Mahendrasinh and Yashpalsinh reportedly wanted to settle the case, but the rape survivor’s uncle refused. On the night of May 20, he was brutally hacked to death, allegedly by the duo in Khakhadabela village of Padadhari taluka. A murder complaint was lodged at Padadhari police station.

Investigators suspect that the aunt allegedly had an illicit relationship with one of the accused, which the minor came to know. The minor was allegedly raped thereafter, and her aunt was booked for abetment in the crime.

Police said the absconding duo had allegedly been pressuring the minor’s father and his brother (now deceased) to settle the Pocso case, but the family refused.

According to the FIR, the duo intercepted the victim’s car by ramming their vehicle into it. He was at the wheel when attackers allegedly stabbed him nine times in the chest and neck, killing him on the spot.

Rajkot DSP Vijaysinh Gurjar has formed a special squad headed by ASP Simran Bhardwaj to nab the duo in both the murder and rape cases.

“The squad includes more than 100 police personnel from the Local Crime Branch, Cybercrime Cell, Dhoraji Division, Bhayavadar police station and the Special Operations Group,” Gurjar said.