Punjab cop, who hushed up rape case, arrested

Two days after his dismissal for allegedly showing apathy in handling case of a gangrape victim, the assistant sub inspector of police was arrested on Saturday near the urban estate area in Patiala.

"The ASI Nasib Singh, who was dismissed from service on Thursday and was on Friday booked for abatement to suicide of the gang-rape victim, has been arrested," IG Patiala Zone PS Gill said.

The 18-year-old victim committed suicide by consuming some poisonous substances in Badshahpur village on December 26, as police failed to take action against the accused, after which one policeman was dismissed and two others were suspended.

On the night of Diwali (November 13), the girl was allegedly raped by Balwinder Singh and Gurpreet Singh with the connivance of a woman, identified as Shinderpal Kaur.

In her suicide note, the girl mentioned harassment by police and the fact that she was being pressurised allegedly by them to compromise with the rapists.

She alleged that she was also being threatened by rapists, who were roaming freely. The accused have been arrested.     

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Friday constituted a high-level team headed by Additional Director General of Police (crime) Jaswinder Singh to visit the village to probe the matter.