Amid growing number of incidents of rape and abduction in Rajasthan in the last one month, the state government on Tuesday, 7 May, removed Alwar’s Superintendent of Police Rajiv Pachar, Hindustan Times reported.
The SP has been placed on awaiting posting order, additional chief secretary at the home department, Rajiv Swarup, reportedly said.
State’s Director General of Police Kapil Garg, on the other hand, stressed that the police was not trying to conceal any crimes taking place in the state.
“Police is not trying to conceal any crime. Our effort is to try and ensure that all cases are registered,” Garg told Hindustan Times.
The DGP’s remarks come amid an increased war of words between the Opposition and the ruling government in the state over the Alwar gang-rape case.
‘State Government is Committed to Women Safety’: CM Ashok Gehlot
A woman was allegedly raped by five men, in front of her husband, in Rajasthan's Alwar district on 26 April, following which one of the accused was arrested on Tuesday. Two others were nabbed by Rajasthan Police on Wednesday. Two other accused - Chhotalal and Hansraj - are still absconding.
“14 teams have been formed to search others involved in the case,” Garg had told reporters in Jaipur.
On Wednesday, 8 May, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued notice to the state government over reported police inaction in the incident.
Earlier, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had directed officials to take stern action against the accused. “I am taking this case seriously, state DGP himself is monitoring the case and culprits will be punished,” ANI had quoted Gehlot as saying on late Tuesday evening.
"The state government is committed for women safety. Nearly a dozen police teams have been formed to arrest the accused and one arrest has been made. The victim and her family are given protection. Action would also be taken against the police officials if any lapses were found," Gehlot had said in a statement.
Responding to a question on another case of gang-rape in Alwar's Thanagazi area, Garg said that Inspector General of Jaipur Range S Sengathir was aware of the incident and that a case has been registered in the matter.
The DGP added that station house officer of the Thanagazi police station was suspended for not taking a prompt action in the case.
‘Case Deliberately Hidden Due to Elections’: BJP Criticises State Govt
Meanwhile, the BJP criticised the Congress government in the state over the incident and for delay in taking action, alleging that the case was deliberately hidden due to elections.
Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly, Rajendra Rathore, and several other leaders also condemned the incident.
BJP state president Madan Lal Saini, on late Tuesday evening, demanded Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s resignation.
Saini alleged the incident was "concealed" by the Congress government due to ongoing elections.
"There appears to be a political conspiracy because the case was kept hidden till elections. Those who are in the government are also culprits. There are posters of Congress president Rahul Gandhi with 'Ab Hoga Nyay' slogan, but women still want to ask why injustice is being done to them in the Congress-ruled state," Saini told reporters in Jaipur.
(With inputs from HT and PTI)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)