JOIN USHaryana cops begin probe into rape cases
The clothes of sexual assault victims have been found giving credence to reported incidents of rape during the Jat agitation on the intervening night of February 22 and 23 near Murthal in Sonipat.
The Haryana Police which initially rubbished the reports has launched a probe into the incident.
Director General of Police Y P Singal said the clothes were collected by Sonipal Superintendent of Police, Sonipat, and investigation was underway.
The Haryana government has constituted a 3-member committee headed by Deputy Inspector General Police Rajshree Singh and two women Deputy Superintendent of Police as its members to gather information about the sexual assault near Murthal.
The police have given the phone numbers of Singh (9329995000) and Bharti Das (8053882302) and Surinder Kaur (9729990760) for the victims and their families to contact them.
Singal said the women officers would be available in Sonepat till further orders and anyone could provide information about the incident by providing audio or video clips or photographs. He assured that the identity of the informer would not be disclosed.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court while taking cognizance of media reports had directed Chief Judicial Magistrates in districts to gather information leading to proof of the incident.
Initially two senior state officials including a Principal Secretary and an Inspector General of Police had visited the spot and nearby areas, but no evidence of the occurrence could be found.
Additional Chief Secretary (Home) PK Das said the government was very serious about the incident and those found guilty would not be spared.
Singal also denied that the police personnel at lower level might be trying to hush up the episode.