Patna: Bhojpur SP suspends cop for asking a girl to beat accused

ARA: In a bizarre incident of providing instant justice rather than following the due course of law, a ‘panchayat’ was held at Dhobahan police outpost in Bhojpur district over a sexual harassment complaint filed by a girl’s family.
A video that went viral on Wednesday shows a teenage girl beating severely a few boys with slippers at the police outpost. She was being goaded to beat them more for sexually harassing her.
As the video went viral, Bhojpur SP Rakesh Kumar Dubey ordered an inquiry. “I had asked the Sadar SDPO to verify the video. It was found to be genuine. I suspended the Dhobahan OP in-charge. After recording the statement of the girl, an FIR would be lodged against the accused,” Dubey said at a press conference.
Sources said a minor girl of a village under Dhobahan OP area was returning home on Sunday after shopping when 4 youngsters sexually harassed her. Though some co-villagers saved her from them, the accused reached her home and allegedly threatened the family members not to lodge any complaint. But, later, when the girl’s family members approached the police, they were advised to hold a panchayat to settle the matter. And, on Tuesday, a panchayat was held at Dhobahan OP.
Meanwhile, the SP has suspended 8 constables of the cross mobile posted at the Town police station and Nawada police station in Ara for dereliction of duty. They had failed to prevent gambling, betting and guessing games in their respective areas. Dubey said 11 persons were arrested for indulging in gambling activities.