Notwithstanding Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav’s intention to change the face of policing in the State, the police personnel have been less than diligent in dealing with women.
On Friday, Deoria Assistant Superintendent of Police Keshav Chandra Goswami on Friday made an indecent comment on a woman, who had allegedly been raped in Bankatha, and had approached the police officer.
Since the woman is a mother of four, with her eldest child aged 16, the ASP reportedly told a group of journalists in Deoria, “who will rape a mother of four.”
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His remark, which has been condemned by women organisations, created a flutter in the police circles as well.
Director General of Police Ambrish Chandra Sharma shot off a missive seeking an explanation from the officer.
Simultaneously, an apology was issued to the woman by the police department expressing regrets over the ASP’s comments.
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“The ASP has been given two days to offer his explanation,” State IG (Law and Order) Raj Kumar Vishwakarma told journalists.
As the ASP was recently promoted from the post of Circle Officer, the IG (Law and Order) said it has been decided to introduce a training programme for officers in a “public relations exercise.”
He said the Deoria SP had been directed to register a case under Sections 354 and 376 of the IPC based on the woman’s complaint and begin an investigation forthwith.
Meanwhile, the conduct of the police officers, especially towards women, has been slammed by Opposition parties. Criticising the Deoria ASP, Bharatiya Janata Party spokesman Vijay Bahadur Pathak said it reflected the Samajwadi Party’s insensitivity towards women.