Police discovered a 22-year-old Dalit woman’s decomposed body at an ashram owned by a former state minister’s son two months after she went missing in Unnao Uttar Pradesh. The area’s station house officer (SHO) has been suspended for apparent carelessness in the investigation.
Rajol Singh, the son of late SP minister Fateh Bahadur Singh, was arrested on January 24 in connection with the woman’s alleged kidnapping, according to police. The woman’s mother attempted to self-immolate in front of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s vehicle in Lucknow on January 25.
“On December 8, a missing complaint was made, followed by an FIR on January 10 as per the norms,” said Shashi Shekhar Singh, Additional Superintendent of Police, Unnao. An arrest has been made, and the investigation is ongoing. The body was recovered based on the results of the probe. We’re doing a post-mortem and will take appropriate action.”
When asked about the family’s claim that police took too long to file the case, the ASP stated, “This is not entirely true.” Because the woman was an adult, a missing complaint was filed first. Police acted after the Investigating Officer voiced doubt that the accused had hurt the woman, and the body was recovered. One individual has been arrested thus far. We’re on the hunt for his accomplices.”
“My daughter was slain by Rajol Singh in his ashram and buried there,” the woman’s mother told reporters. I had already visited the ashram. Except for the three-storey building, they showed us the entire site. I had dialled a local police officer’s number, but he had turned off his phone. If he had come, I would have discovered my daughter alive.”
On Thursday night, Bhim Army Chief Chandra Shekhar sent a video message requesting that Rajol Singh and the police officers be prosecuted. “Both parties are equally at blame for the tragedy. I give the chief minister two days to guarantee that justice is served to the deceased woman. The administration will take up two days, and the third day will be mine,” he said, adding that he will travel to Unnao as soon as possible. (IANS)
