Kondagaon gangrape: SHO suspended for not taking action

The woman’s uncle had alleged that despite being aware of the incident, then SHO of Dhanora police station had not investigated the matter

Published on: Oct 9, 2020, 12:56:10 IST

Hindustan Times, Raipur | By Ritesh Mishra

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A station house officer (SHO) was suspended on Thursday in connection with the alleged gangrape and subsequent suicide of an 18-year-old tribal woman in Kondagaon district of Bastar region, Chhattisgarh, two months ago.

Police said that seven persons were accused, of which five, including two minors, were arrested on Wednesday.

The woman’s uncle had alleged that despite being aware of the incident, then SHO of Dhanora police station had not investigated the matter.

“Media reports revealed then Dhanora SHO Ramesh Sori had received information about the incident through local sources 15 to 20 days after it took place and he had asked the woman’s family about it. But Sori neither informed his seniors nor took further legal action,” the statement released by Chhhattisgarh government stated.

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Sori, now posted in Kondagaon Police Lines, was suspended with immediate effect and an enquiry was ordered against him, it said.

The woman’s body was exhumed on Wednesday and an autopsy was conducted, it said.

A case has been registered under Indian Penal Code sections 365 (kidnapping), 376-D (gang-rape), 306 (abetment of suicide), 506 (criminal intimidation), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence) and 34 (common intention), it added.

As per the statement of her family members, on July 19, the girl had attended a wedding with them in the nearby Kanagaon village. The same night, around 11pm, two boys from Kanagaon allegedly dragged her to a nearby forest, where she was sexually assaulted by five others. The next morning, the woman returned home without informing anyone and hanged herself.

Her uncle later told reporters that after her death, two boys from the locality told him that she was sexually assaulted by some men in Kanagaon.

Just two days after that, Dhanora station house officer (SHO) called him to the police station and asked why he had not reported the matter to police, he claimed.

He alleged that the SHO had also assured him he would lodge a case, but took no further action.

However, Inspector General Sunderaaj said that after her death, a police team had gone to the village and asked her family members to report the matter.

“Recently, her father also attempted to kill himself by consuming poison, but he was saved after receiving timely medical treatment. The exact reason behind his suicide attempt is not known,” Sundarraj said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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