GRP constables suspended for assaulting commuter

Two constables attached to the Vasai Government Railway Police (GRP) were suspended on Friday for assaulting a 28-year-old commuter and extorting Rs. 25,000 from him on February 22.

Two constables attached to the Vasai Government Railway Police (GRP) were suspended on Friday for assaulting a 28-year-old commuter and extorting Rs. 25,000 from him on February 22.

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The police said the senior inspector of Vasai GRP has been transferred to the GRP control room for not looking into the victim’s complaint. The constables are on the run and a case has been registered against them.

Constables Ravi Medhge and Sudesh Wakchavre have been suspended for assaulting a man inside a public toilet at Vasai railway station on the night of February 22 and extorting money from him. The police said the policemen were in plain clothes when they targeted the commuter, stating he was a homosexual.

“As he was not carrying the money, the constables took him to a nearby ATM and made him withdraw the amount, following which they put him in an autorickshaw and threatened him telling him not to inform anyone about the incident,” said a GRP officer.

However, when the victim’s family took him to hospital for treatment the following day, the doctors told the police about the matter. Later, the Vasai GRP officials recorded the victim’s statement. However, the incident was not investigated.

Senior inspector of Vasai GRP, Praful Kshirsagar has been transferred for failing to investigate the case or to take action against Medhge and Wakchavre, police said.

B Shirsat, deputy commissioner of police (GRP), Western Railway, said, “The suspension orders of the accused constables have been issued and we will trace them soon.”

The constables have been booked for assaulting, threatening and extortion and the police are looking for them.