The top police officer of Noida blamed for negligence and shoddy investigation into the Nithari serial killings was transferred on Saturday, nearly a month after an Uttar Pradesh government committee recommended action against him.
A junior police officer, earlier transferred on charges of negligence, was suspended.
Noida’s Senior Superintendent of Police RKS Rathore will be replaced by Rajiv Sabharwal, said Amar Singh, the ruling Samajwadi Party general secretary, in Lucknow. It was not immediately known why he made the announcement. But government officials in Lucknow confirmed the orders.
Eight people went missing from Nithari during Rathore’s tenure, out of which five were later confirmed dead. Had he registered even a single case, seven lives could have been saved, the committee had said.
Rathore has been attached to the office of director general of police, Lucknow. He refused to comment on his transfer. “I have done my best as the case was solved during my period,” he said.
“I would not like to comment on the investigation as the case is now with the CBI,” Rathore said. The CBI was handed over the case on January 10 after public outrage over slow investigation. Accused Moninder Singh Pandher and his servant Surendra Koli are in CBI custody till February 8. Circle Officer Dinesh Yadav was suspended.
{{/usCountry}}“I would not like to comment on the investigation as the case is now with the CBI,” Rathore said. The CBI was handed over the case on January 10 after public outrage over slow investigation. Accused Moninder Singh Pandher and his servant Surendra Koli are in CBI custody till February 8. Circle Officer Dinesh Yadav was suspended.
{{/usCountry}}Email Kapil Datta; kapildatta13@gmail.com
Email M Hasan: mhasan@hindustantimes.com