Gaya: Magadh Range Inspector General (IG) Vikas Vaibhav on Thursday directed police officers to expedite the investigation and follow-up in cases of rape and those registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The directive was issued during a review meeting of pending cases from police stations in the Tekari sub-division and other parts of Gaya district.
Review of Pending Cases
The IG reviewed several pending rape and POCSO cases, with Tekari Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) and other investigating officers in attendance. The meeting focused on ensuring timely justice and effective prosecution in sensitive cases.
Recent Sensational Cases
Several high-profile rape cases have been reported in Gaya in recent months. In one incident, a woman passenger was allegedly gang-raped by nearly half a dozen miscreants at a secluded location in the Belaganj police station area. In another case from July last year, a woman aspiring for a home guard job was raped inside an ambulance. She had collapsed during a physical fitness test and was being transported to a medical college due to the lack of a primary healthcare facility at the test venue. This incident drew national attention.
IG's Directives
Speaking to this newspaper, IG Vaibhav stated that he has sought district-wise status reports on all serious cases, particularly those involving crimes against women and children. He emphasised that more review meetings will be held in the coming days to monitor progress.
Regarding the widely reported ambulance gang rape case, where the aspirant was allegedly assaulted by a health department worker and the ambulance driver, the IG said he has asked the Bodh Gaya SDPO to submit a detailed report.
Zero Tolerance for Laxity
“The review is being conducted in phases, and the state government is serious about bringing perpetrators of heinous crimes to justice. No laxity will be tolerated,” Vaibhav asserted. He also directed officers to ensure that all complaints are registered promptly so that complainants do not have to face unnecessary hurdles.
Ensuring Timely Justice
The IG’s intervention aims to strengthen the investigation process and provide relief to victims. By fast-tracking cases and holding officers accountable, the administration seeks to restore public confidence in the law enforcement system.
