Accused of raping a 21-year-old woman, a Lok Rakshak Dal (LRD) constable – Surajsinh Phoolsinh Chauhan (24) has been dismissed from his services by the Vadodara City Police on Monday.
In an internal inquiry, the constable Surajsinh Chauhan was found guilty of “gross negligence and misuse of power,” read a release from city police. Along with Surajsinh – in charge of Police Control Room (PCR) van at Laxmipura police station, Rasik Chauhan, who was driving the vehicle, has also been reported under extortion charges. Currently, Rasik has been lodged in Vadodara Central Jail.
A release from the Vadodara police read, “A case of rape has been registered at the Laxmipura police station against Lok Rakshak Surajsinh Phoolsinh who committed the crime in an act of misuse of his power. An internal departmental inquiry ordered into the matter has now been completed. It has been concluded that Surajsinh has indulged in gross negligence and carelessness during his duty and has been dismissed from duty.”
What was the case:
On March 15, 2020, a complaint was filed at Laxim;ipura accusing Surajsinh for rape and Rasik for extortion. According to the complaint, the victim was on two-wheeler with his male friend on Ankodia-Sevasi road when Surajsinh and Rasik approached them and started interrogating them. After a brief questioning the cop-duo allegedly demanded Rs 5,000 from them.
Rasik then took victim’s friend with him to the nearby petrol pump(where he worked before) and made him pay the said amount. During this, the woman alleged Suraj sinh of taking her at old, isolated place and raped her. Followed by this, the victims reached home and informed their parents and they reached the police station to lodge a complaint.
Soon after the complaint was lodged, the two accused were charged and arrested under IPC sections 376 (2) (a) (being a police officer commits rape), 384 (punishment for extortion), and under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
