Rajasthan: Police Search Missing Dalit Woman at Complainant’s Expense, Celebrate Success with Booze

Jaipur: It has often been observed that policemen often tarnish their image themselves and put their department in the dock. In Rajasthan, khaki (the colour of police uniform) has been tainted with the allegation of demanding money for searching a missing Dalit woman.

The incident in question has been reported from Ajmer district where the police allegedly asked the complainant to arrange a vehicle for them and bear the fuel and food expenses.

The cops did not stop here only. After accomplishing the mission, they celebrated their success by organising a liquor party on the complainant’s expenditure.

Ajmer Superintendent of Police Devendra Kumar Vishnoi confirmed unprofessional acts of the policemen, saying the accused — Head Constable Suresh Chand Meena and Constable Gauru (both of whom were posted at Madanganj Police Station) — have been suspended.

“An investigation into the allegations against the police team is underway,” he said.

A married woman from Madanganj police station area suddenly disappeared from a hospital recently. The brother-in-law of the woman had lodged a missing report in the police station. Acting on the complaint, a police team, comprising the two men, was sent in search of the woman. 

After the policemen asked the complainant to provide them a vehicle, he took them to the possible location in his personal vehicle.

While returning after recovering the woman from Jaipur, the two men in uniform stopped at a dhaba (roadside eatery) on the highway to celebrate the success at the expense of the complainant. 

They consumed liquor and had dinner. While celebrating, they made the complainant sit in the vehicle to keep an eye on the woman.

The complainant recorded the act, using his cell phone camera, and shared the video footage with the SP. He later filed a complaint in this regard.

Considering the conduct of the policemen as unprofessional, the top cop suspended both of them with immediate effect. However, they were later reinstated and are performing their duty.

Ironically, no female official was accompanying the search party. After it was brought into the notice of SP, another team comprising a woman constable was dispatched.

This is not the first when such an incident has come to light. Videos, involving such unprofessional or rather indecent police acts, often grab headlines.

Advocate Satish Kumar, associated with the Dalit Rights Center, asserts that according to regulations, the presence of a female police officer is mandatory during the interrogation or arrest of any woman, but there has been a lapse in compliance by the Madangunj police.

He further highlights that not only was there negligence in this regard, but also, the search was held at the expense of the Dalit complainant, which is entirely unjust. He emphasizes the need to investigate police officers who engage in corrupt practices by accepting money from complainants and conducting their duties improperly.

-Story Translated by Tarique Anwar

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