Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): A minor tribal girl of (14-years-old) came with her parents to participate in Lokrang festival in Bhopal. She was allegedly raped by her known person in January. Shyamla Hills police however did not register the case. Bhopal police are still to appoint an investigation officer to probe the case.

Police station in-charge of Shyamla Hills police station (IPS) Mansvi Sharma told Free Press that the victim had come to participate in Lokrang festival, where she was allegedly raped by a man known to her parents on January 30.

‘The girl approached the police on February 7 along with her parents and an advocate and the police team visited the spot. While verifying the spot, the girl was not able to identify the area or the spot of the crime’, the officer added. After a day-long spot verification, the family was told to come the next day, but they did not turn up at the police station.

On February 20, the family approached Mauganj police station and filed a complaint. The police had also conducted medical check-up of the girl and found the complaint to be true. The police registered the case and sent it to Shyamla Hills police station.

Shyamla Hills police station registered the case on February 28 under sections of rape, SC/ST Act and POSCO Act, against the accused. The officer informed that the case belongs to SC/ST Atrocity Act, the officer of ACP or above rank is entitled to conduct investigation.

The officer had written a letter to the DCP to appoint another officer to investigate the case. It is informed that as soon as the IO will be appointed, investigation will begin accordingly.

Congress attacks government

MLA Vikrant Bhuria attacked the state government on rising atrocities against scheduled caste and scheduled tribe people in the state. He alleged that the minor was raped in the festival and when she went to file the report she was made to wait for nine hours and later pushed out of the police station. She had to travel 600 kilometres to file the complaint. ‘When atrocities against tribal people is going to stop’, he asked.

MPHRC takes cognisance

MP Human Rights Commission has taken cognisance into the matter and have asked the commissioner of police Bhopal to present the report in three weeks, officials said here on Monday.

The Commission has asked ‘why the complaint was not registered in the related police station’. ‘Why the situation occurred, that the FIR was registered in Mauganj and was sent to Bhopal’. ‘Full details of the doctor’s report, consultation, legal support, action taken against the accused of the case and other related matter’, shall be sent within three weeks.