Madhya Pradesh government has shunted district Additional Superintendent of Police to Bhopal, in the wake of women protesters today threatening to set themselves afire, alleging the police was "protecting" the accused in a minor girl gangrape case.
A spontaneous bandh was today also observed in the town over alleged inaction by police in the case. However, the police has denied the charge.
ASP Abhishek Rajan was transferred out on complaints of "soft-pedalling" the case and after women protesters carrying kerosene cans threatened to self-immolate in front of Energy Minister Rajendra Shukla at the Circuit House here, while alleging that the police was "shielding" the six accused which include the kin of a local Congress leader.
Protesters also put up posters bearing photos of the accused all over the city.
A 15-year-old girl was allegedly gangraped on June 8 by four youths, who drugged her with the help of two girls, police had said.
The accused were friends of the victim, and the teenage girl lodged a complaint with the police on July 5, a month after the alleged incident.
"ASP Abhishek Rajan has been transferred following complaints against him of soft-pedalling the case. We have carried out raids at many places to arrest the accused (identified as) Abhishek Singh, Vishal, Harsh, Ayush, Niharika Singh and Ritika. Abhishek and Niharika are siblings. But, no one has been arrested yet," Satna SP Sanjay Kumar said.
All the accused are on the run and the police has already announced a reward of Rs 10,000 each on any information on any of them.
According to the victim, the accused allegedly also shot video of the act and threatened to release it if she went to police, which caused delay in filing of the complaint.
Abhishek and Niharika are son and daughter of a local Congress leader, who is also the member of Suvhal Janpad. The protesters alleged the duo were not arrested owing to the political clout of their mother. However, police have denied this charge.
Meanwhile, Sidhi MLA and former Leader of Opposition in MP Assembly Ajay Singh has demanded immediate arrest of the accused.
