Five policemen, including an assistant sub-inspector, were removed from field duty for their failure to act against two youths who allegedly molested a group of girls in a full public view on February 9.
The youths riding a bike had allegedly molested five girls travelling in a car and also beat them up for protesting against the ordeal at Piplyahana square, police said.
Enraged over the incident, locals had set on fire the motorcycle used by the youths in the crime.
A patrolling van present at the spot failed to take any action despite having knowledge of the incident, police said.
After a probe, the SP (East) O P Tripathi "line-attached" (removed from field duty) ASI Pratap Singh Gavli, a head constable, and a constable for not taking any action in the matter. Two constables too faced the similar action.
The youths were arrested and booked under sections 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) and 294 (obscene acts and songs) of the IPC. Police later slapped section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) against them after conducting detailed investigation, the SP said.
