MADURAI: A police sub-inspector in Ramanathapuram district tried to pressure a minor girl into withdrawing a Pocso complaint against her father, asking her to deny the sexual abuse allegations to help him secure bail.
A senior police officer said the uncle of the accused was attempting to secure his release on bail when he approached Asaikumar, a sub-inspector attached to the Thondi police station who was handling court-related duties. “Asaikumar demanded and accepted a bribe, promising to help secure bail if the relative followed his instructions,” said the officer. Following an inquiry, superintendent of police G Chandeesh has ordered the SI’s suspension. The girl’s father was arrested last month under Pocso Act for allegedly sexually abusing her. He was subsequently remanded to judicial custody.
The girl’s family approached the SP with an audio recording of the SI allegedly instructing the uncle of the accused to make the girl claim that she had made a false allegation and no sexual abuse had taken place. The complaint prompted a departmental inquiry which substantiated the allegations against the SI.