Suspended police officer 'reinstated'

A police officer, who was suspended in February for allegedly molesting a woman, has been reinstated at Sadar Mandi, leading to protests by locals who have decided to approach the Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh in this regard.
A senior official who did not wish to be named said the ASI-ranked officer was brought back due to the shortage of staff.
Meanwhile, residents of Khatrwari village have alleged that the police department was trying to shield the accused. They have decided to take up the matter with the Chief Minister.
Earlier, a case was registered against the police officer, who allegedly molested the woman at her residence in Khatrwari village on February 20.

The police shifted him to Police Lines, Mandi, and later on he was arrested.
After the arrest of the officer, his bail application was rejected by the judicial magistrate of Sundernagar but he was never lodged in jail and remained admitted to hospital till his bail was allowed by sessions judge till March 4, sources said.