UP: Father of minor rape survivor shot dead in Firozabad; three cops suspended

AGRA: The father of a teenaged girl, who was raped in August 2019 in Shikhohabad, was shot dead outside his house allegedly by the rape accused after the victim (37) refused to withdraw the rape case against him.
Following the murder, the inspector general of police (Agra range) suspended three policemen, including the SHOs of Uttar and Shikhohabad police stations.
Resident of Tilaknagar, the electrician was shot in his back from a country-made pistol of possible .315 bore. Based on the written complaint from the deceased's relative, an FIR was lodged against four persons, including one Achman Upadhaya alias Chotu, who is history-sheeter with nine FIRs including robbery, assault, rape and other charges. He is also charged under the Gangster act. On Tuesday, IG also announced Rs 50,000 reward on Achman.
"He was returning home, when Achman, along with his an aide on motor-bike fired shot at him. He was declared dead at the hospital,” said the younger brother of the deceased.
He said, “Achman was continuously pressurising my brother to withdraw rape case, and threatened to kill him if he did not comply with his terms. On February 1, he gave a written complaint against Achman at Uttar police station, after which an FIR, under IPC section 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation) was lodged, but police failed to arrest him.”
IG Satish Ganesh said, "Even after two FIRs, including of rape which was lodged in August 2019 at Shikohabad, in which chargesheet was also filed, both Uttar and Shikohabad police failed to arrest the accused history-sheeter. Thus, fixing their responsibilities, I have suspended inspector Keshav D Sharma, inspector Lokendra Singh and Sub -inspector Ashesh Kumar, who was in-charge of Kotla police outpost.”
“Several teams, including of surveillance, SOG and other policemen were on manhunt to arrest Achman. Once the accused is arrested, we will ensure to expedite his court trial and will get him stringent possible punishment,” said IG.
According to police, the accused is neighbour of the rape survivor, who was studying in class XI, when she was raped in Shambu Nagar of Shikohabad. The survivor is the youngest among four siblings.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)