Bihar cops held for trying to rape woman constable

Two junior officers of the Bihar Police have been arrested for attempting to rape a woman constable of the Bihar Military Police (BMP) at the barracks of mufassil police station in Darbhanga district.

Subedar Dudhnath Prasad and havildar Shamsul Zoha Khan were arrested on Sunday from Laheriasarai in Darbhanga, about 120 km from Patna.

Posted on deputation at the Samastipur women’s police station, the woman constable ran into trouble when she returned from leave which she had extended beyond sanctioned period. She told her seniors – Prasad and Khan – that she would go to zonal headquarters in Darbhanga to report for duty.

Prasad, who is the troop in-charge of the women’s battalion, told her not worry. “We will manage your leave. We need to visit Darbhanga on Monday and you can accompany us. You can stay at the barrack of mufassil police station,” the subedar told the woman constable.

Later, Prasad and Khan, the barrack in-charge, visited her in an inebriated condition and tried to force themselves upon her. The victim, a resident of Mokama, shouted for help and was rescued by others present on the premises.

Following a complaint lodged by the victim, Darbhanga range DIG Anwar Hussain ordered an investigation by Samastipur SP Chandrika Prasad into the incident who found the charges to be true.

Darbhanga zonal IG JS Gangwar confirmed on Monday that the two accused officers have been arrested.

“Both have been booked for attempt to rape and under Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. The commandant of the BMP has been asked to initiate departmental proceedings against the two,” he added.