Two policemen suspended in Akole gang-rape case

Three days after dacoits gang-raped two women in Veergaon village of Akole district in Maharashtra, Home Minister R R Patil, who visited the place on Tuesday, announced the suspension of two policemen for dereliction of duty.

Police inspector P K Patil and station house officer Salim Sheikh attached to the Akole police station have been suspended pending an inquiry.

Under flak from opposition leaders and social activists for its inability to control crime in the state, Patil promised to augment the police headcount for this region. Akole police station, in which jurisdiction the crime occurred, has just 42 policemen for 148 villages, some of which are located in remote and inaccessible areas. Patil said that the police force of Akole will be increased by 365 policemen and officers. Besides, vacant posts will be filled by deputation of officers and policemen from other places.

The incident occurred when six dacoits barged into a house in Veergaon village on the night of July 9. There were only six women in the house who were mourning the loss of a family member. Two daughters of the deceased and three elderly relatives had come to console the widow, and for the preparation of post-funeral rites known as dashkriya. 

Besides looting women of their meagre jewellery, the dacoits allegedly raped two of the women in the presence of their mother and relatives. The dacoits also robbed the family of Rs 10,000 that had been collected for performing the rites of the deceased.

The police have arrested three persons who have been identified as Santosh Pandit, Babusha Hirya Kale and Gorakh Chmaku Bhosale, all residents of Kulgaon, Shrigonda. The accused include the jeweller, Pandit, who fenced the stolen goods from the dacoits.