SSP suspends Chowki in-charge over lapses in daylight murder case

By Arun Pratap Singh
my uttarakhand news Bureau

Dehradun, 3 Feb: In the sensational daylight murder of a young woman in the busy Machhi Bazaar area of the state capital, disciplinary action has been taken against police personnel at the outpost level for apparent negligence. SSP Dehradun Ajai Singh has suspended Sub-Inspector Pradyuman Negi, In-charge of Khurbura Police Chowki, with immediate effect after prima facie lapses were found in handling the victim’s prior complaints.
It may be recalled that the family of the murdered girl Gunjan as well as some political leaders like BJP leader Neha Joshi and a section of the media had alleged that the girl’s family had registered a complaint against the murder accused Akash some days before the incident, expressing danger from Akash to the girl. Yet the police officials apparently did not take the complaint seriously. The family as well as the media alleges that had the police taken this complaint seriously and had taken a pre-emptive action, probably the girl would have been alive today.
It may be recalled that the murder had taken place yesterday in broad daylight in the congested market area, sending shockwaves across the city. Taking serious note of the incident, SSP Ajai Singh had ordered a preliminary inquiry into the matter and entrusted the probe to the City Circle Officer. The inquiry report submitted by the City CO revealed prima facie negligence at the police chowki level. It emerged that the deceased had approached Khurbura Police Chowki on 31 January, informing the police about threat to her life and lodging a complaint against the accused. However, the complaint was not treated with the seriousness it warranted, and no effective preventive action was taken, eventually leading to the fatal incident.
According to the victim’s family members, the deceased Gunjan and the accused Akash had known each other for the past three years. Gunjan was employed at a garment shop in Dulha Bazaar, while the accused worked at another shop in the same market. When the family came to know about their friendship, they took away Gunjan’s mobile phone, after which communication between the two stopped. The accused, who is married, allegedly began harassing Gunjan continuously and would follow her while she was on her way to work. Complaints in this regard were reportedly made to the police on several occasions, but no action was taken.
Three days before the murder, the accused had allegedly told another person that he would kill Gunjan. Following this, a fresh complaint was again lodged at Khurbura Police Chowki. Despite the seriousness of the threat, the police failed to even establish telephonic contact with the accused during these three days. Police records further reveal that the accused Akash had earlier been arrested in a theft case and had spent around one and a half months in jail. Due to his background, he had been removed from his job at one shop and later started working at another shop in the same market.
SSP Ajai Singh stated that in the case of the young woman’s murder falling under the jurisdiction of Kotwali Nagar, prima facie negligence at the chowki level was evident. Acting on this, the Khurbura Chowki in-charge was first attached to the police lines and the preliminary inquiry was handed over to the City CO. After the inquiry confirmed lapses on the part of the chowki in-charge, Sub-Inspector Pradyuman Negi has now been placed under suspension with immediate effect.
Meanwhile, the police have arrested the accused responsible for the brazen daylight murder. During interrogation, the 27-year-old accused reportedly made several disclosures. Police said that domestic discord had been ongoing at the accused’s house due to the young woman, following which communication between the two had stopped. After the victim lodged a complaint at the police chowki, the accused was reportedly in an agitated state, which ultimately led him to commit the crime in the middle of the market.