Seraikela-Kharsawan: Fifteen police personnel have been suspended in connection with the alleged rape of a woman inside Gamharia police station in Jharkhand’s Seraikela-Kharsawan district. Three personnel, including a wireless operator, have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody, officials said on Monday.
The case came to light after the woman submitted a written complaint on October 31, alleging that she was sexually assaulted within the police station premises.
The arrested personnel have been identified as wireless operator Neeraj Lakra, Sub-Inspector Manoj Kumar Sahu and Constable Santosh Kumar Rai. All three were posted at Gamharia police station.
SIT Formed To Investigate Allegations
A Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by Seraikela Sub-Divisional Police Officer Anubhav Bhardwaj, has been constituted to investigate the case.
Bhardwaj said the police formed a team soon after receiving the complaint and apprehended the accused. He added that the arrested personnel had been sent to judicial custody and that the investigation was continuing.
Seraikela-Kharsawan Superintendent of Police Manoj Swargiary also spoke to ANI about the case and the findings of the investigation. Officials said further legal action would follow if other individuals were found guilty.
There is, however, a discrepancy in the suspension figures mentioned by officials in the ANI report. The SP’s statement says 15 police personnel have been suspended, while the SDPO is quoted as referring to four suspensions.
JLKM Protests, Raises Questions Over Police Security
The incident triggered protests by members of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM), who demanded justice for the woman and accountability from the police administration.
Prem Mardi, Central Vice President of the organisation’s ST Morcha, said members had demonstrated outside the police station on Sunday. They returned on Monday, he said, to support the collection of evidence related to the case.
Mardi also questioned the security arrangements at the police station, raising concerns about CCTV coverage and the alleged absence of female police personnel.
He criticised the state government and police administration, arguing that the alleged assault inside a police station raised serious questions about women’s safety and institutional accountability.
The SIT is continuing its probe. The allegations are under investigation, and the accused will be subject to due legal process.
