THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has suspended an assistant commandant and a woman civil police officer for allegedly trying to settle a rape case by demanding Rs 25 lakh from the accused, who is also a police officer. The case was made more shocking by the fact that the assistant commandant was also the local guardian of the victim, who is also a police officer.
Starmon R Pillai, who is now with the armed police, and Anu Antony, who works in the cyber wing, were suspended on the basis of a report filed by the state police chief.
According to the suspension order issued by the government, the woman cop, who was deployed in the cyber wing, was allegedly raped by sub-inspector Wilfer Francis, who also worked in the same wing, on November 16, 2024.
The victim conveyed her ordeal to Anu, who was then working as an office writer, two days later. Anu relayed this matter to Starmon the next day through another friend, Karthika, who is also a cop.
According to a complaint, Starmon demanded Rs 25 lakh from the accused after confirming, via medical examination, that the victim had indeed been raped. The suspension order said it was with sinister intention that an officer, with more than 25 years of service, demanded cash from the accused without even initiating any legal action on behalf of the survivor.
Anu was accused of trying to cover up the incident. Instead of suggesting any legal action, she pressed the victim to settle the case by taking money, the order said. However, the victim was not aware of what had transpired and went ahead with the case.
The order said the act of the two cops has marred the reputation of the force. It said the two did not suggest legal remedies to the victim, who was subjected to a grave crime. Prima facia it has been revealed that the duo committed a grave mistake, it added.