Probe ordered into Narayanpur rape case

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, FEB. 23. The Home Minister, Mr. T. Devender Goud, on Friday ordered a departmental enquiry into the charge of dereliction of duty against the Sub-Inspector of Samstha Narayanpur police station in the rape case of a tribal woman on February 16.

This was decided at an in camera meeting he held with the Opposition, which had vociferously demanded in the Assembly the immediate suspension of the Sub-Inspector as the woman was under his custody and the latter had failed to prevent the crime.

Speaking to presspersons after the meeting, the Minister said the DIG of Hyderabad Range, Mr. Sambasiva Rao, was deputed to Nalgonda to conduct the enquiry and submit the report to the Government by Friday night.

The meeting was attended by the Congress MLAs of Nalgonda district led by Mr. P.Goverdhan Reddy, the CPI (M) MLA, Mr. N. Narsimhaiah, the TDP members - Mr. Y. Dayakar Rao and Mr. Ramesh Rathod.

The Home Minister said the victim would, as of now, get an ex- gratia of Rs. 1.5 lakhs, and it could even be hiked. A house and a piece of land for the family would be followed and, if need be, counselling for the husband of the victim would be arranged as he was said to be refusing to live with her.

Earlier, the House, which was to take up non-official resolutions, continued discussion on the issue with Congress members pressing it even after tea-break.

The clarification by the Home Minister failed to convince the Opposition. Twice, Congress MLAs proceeded toward the well demanding suspension of the SI and enhanced ex-gratia. It was Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, who `settled' the matter by suggesting that members of different parties could sit with the Home Minister in his chambers.

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Section  : Southern States
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