KOCHI: The circle-inspector who allegedly ill-treated the gang rape victim in Wadakkanchery has been temporarily suspended from service, pending an official inquiry, on Monday. The suspension order to former circle inspector M V Manikandan of Peramangalam, was issued by Thrissur Range Inspector General of Police, M R Ajith Kumar.
J Himendranath, Thrissur City Police Commissioner, while speaking with Express confirmed that Manikandan would be in suspension until an inquiry against him is completed. "We have launched an inquiry on the basis of allegation raised against the Circle Inspector regarding lapses made in the initial probe. Until the investigation is completed he would remain suspended," Himendranath said.
Manikandan was charged with ill-treatment of the victim who was allegedly gangraped by four persons including a CPM councillor Jayanthan in April 2014, when she approached him with a complaint. He reportedly asked her 'humiliating questions' that made her severely uncomfortable.
With the incident getting limelight last week, several such similar complaints of such behaviour against Manikandan came to the fore. However, City Police Commissioner said that the Circle Inspector was suspended only with regards to the lapses from his part while probing rape case.
Meanwhile, police recorded the statement of the victim and her husband on Monday at an undisclosed location in Ernakulam. "The procedure of recording the statement is proceeding. It would take few more days to complete. It is recorded in such a way that victim and her husband will not feel any problem in disclosing details about all the accused. The victims will not pressurised and the statement is recorded with the assistance of women police officials," said a police official.