Action sought against cop for trying to cover up sexual harassment case

Mangaluru, Mar 2: A sub-inspector attached to the Uppinangady police station has been accused of delaying to register a complaint related to the sexual harassment of a 12-year-old Dalit girl.

The issue came to light at the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe grievance redressal meeting at the office of the Superintendent of Police in the city on Tuesday.

Dalit rights activist Rajaram Belthangady said that the sub-inspector registered only a petty case when a complaint was filed on January 18.

He said that the sub-inspector registered a case under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act only after 20 days following intervention by Child Line.

Mr. Rajaram said that disciplinary action should be taken against the sub-inspector for trivialising the case.

Shekar Belthangady said the police should first take disciplinary action and then hand over investigation of the case to an officer of the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police.

Additional Superintendent of Police Vincent Shanthakumar said the allegation would be inquired into and action would be taken if it was found to be true.

Raghuvir Sooterpet expressed the need for police to oversee the operation of paying guest accommodations that were largely unregulated. Mr. Raghuvir said that there were chances of these facilities being used by criminals.