Palghar SP assures action against erring cops in case of harassment of girls

Palghar superintendent of police who had given Nalasopara police a clean chit based on an inquiry report submitted by his subordinates, took a U-turn after he met the parents of the victims who revealed the details of the harassment their wards had been subjected to by the Nalasopara police while trying to file a case of rape.

On Friday, the Palghar police department held a press conference declaring that the officials involved were not guilty. Suvez Haque, SP, Palghar on Saturday met the 17-year-old and 12-year-old girls at the office of the additional superintendent of police in Vasai. Both the girls were accompanied by their relatives.

"Today (Saturday) we were picked up by a lady officer from Kandivli police station after the medical tests had been completed, and brought directly to Vasai where Palghar SP questioned us about the details of the case. We informed him that the male officials had misbehaved with us and had demanded money for video-recording the statement. The SP assured us that he would take action against the cops. We will submit a written complaint to him," said the grandmother of the 12-year-old girl.

Sunila Bhise, the social worker who rescued the 17-year-old, said: "We informed him about the time taken for the complaint to be registered as there were no female officers to take the statement, and have requested the Palghar SP to act expeditiously in such cases.

Little did the Palghar SP know that his subordinates had mounted pressure on the victims and had given him a manipulated report. On Saturday, Haque assured that stern action would be taken against the cops involved.