Molestation charge, but DIG Raj yet to be told formally

The incident took place on the night of May 10, in Nandigram’s Sonachura village. The formal complaint was lodged on 4.30 am, May 11, with Nandigram police.

At 9.30 pm, Lakshman Seth called him on his cellphone and besides threatening him, informing him for the first time that there has been an FIR of molestation against him.

The victims alleged that the molestation and beatings took place at night, but police is yet to talk to any CRPF jawan or driver regarding the incident. This afternoon, the women were admitted to Kamarda hospital — immediately after the state government ordered an inquiry by IG Western Range Rakesh Gupta.

Interestingly, Raj and the officers against whom the complaint has been lodged are yet to get the details or a copy of the complaint despite repeated requests. Today, Raj wrote a letter to S Panda, District Police Superintendent, East Midnapore, saying he had heard from the media that there has been a complaint against him by some villagers, but he had not been informed about it. He asked the SP to confirm the complaint and provide details. But he received no answer from the SP and left for Jharkhand today.

“All I want to say is that the allegations are baseless. They are deliberately made to harass me and ensure that the CRPF does not function properly. I have no faith in police inquiry,” said Raj.

Aloke Raj had landed in Nandigram at 3 pm on May 10. He immediately went to the Nandigram hospital to see the injured. Later, he returned to the CRPF camp in Rajaramchowk.

Around 5 pm, he went back to the Nandigram police station to attend a meeting with district officers. He left the police station at 8 pm and went back to the camp at Rajaramchowk and then to Sonachura.

The next day, he went out around 7 pm. All the time, apart from CRPF jawans, drivers of vehicles provided by the state government accompanied him.

Panda said today that no injuries were apparently found on the victims, “but we are waiting for a medical report”.

Rakesh Gupta, IG Western Range, said: “As directed, I am conducting a detailed inquiry. I cannot say anything more.”