Even though the Delhi police was under flak from the opposition leaders and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, the Central Government on Wednesday asserted that it has no intention of removing the city’s top-cop Neeraj Kumar “at this stage” when the investigation into the gang-rape of the 23-year-old student was in full-swing.
Talking to the media after the Union Cabinet meeting, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said it would be “inappropriate” to remove Kumar, despite the waves of protest against him and the action of the police under him. “I think this would be totally inappropriate to do at this stage. I think the commissioner is doing his job. If there have been any lapses, we will be looking into it,” he said.
In fact, one of the terms of reference of the one-member Usha Mishra Commission of Inquiry is to look into the lapses, if any, on the part of the police.
Chidambaram also noted that Kumar had apologised for the police crackdown and “I think the first thing that needs to be done is to bring the situation under control.”
The Cabinet meeting also decided that an inquiry commission under retired High Court Judge, Usha Mishra, will probe the case and suggest safety measures for women in Delhi and the national capital territory.
Later, the post mortem report detailing the cause of death of Constable Tomar, injured in the protests at India Gate on Sunday, was flashed by the Delhi police. It stated that Tomar died due to a heart attack caused by multiple injuries to neck and chest produced by blunt force impact.