HC accepts report against IGP for failing to book cop in rape case

On October 9,2007,the court had directed the government to initiate departmental action against Thakur in the case,mainly on charges of dereliction of duty .

The penalty,according to the state government order of March 2010,involves “reduction of the lower of the existing time-scale till date of IGP’s retirement”.

This means,an official in the state home department explained,Thakur will suffer a salary loss,but not a demotion of service rank.

Union Home Secretary
G K Pillai had also filed an affidavit in court last month stating that disciplinary proceedings were initiated against the officer and an inquiry officer was also appointed after Thakur was served a chargesheet. The inquiry officer,an IPS officer of the Himachal rank,had submitted his report in March 2009.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC),on the basis of the inquiry report submitted in March 2009,has proposed the penalty.

SHO Gulzar Mohammed was accused of rape in 1994. While Thakur ‘failed’ to take action,it was on the orders of the Mandi Chief Judicial Magistrate,that Gulzar was booked for rape and finally convicted by the then district and sessions judge V K Ahuja,who is now a high court judge.

Thakur,who otherwise,has a clean service record is due to retire in a few months,according to the police headquarters here.