A special SC/ST court here has summoned two police officers to face trial for allegedly manipulating the probe into a Dalit atrocity, assault and attempted culpable homicide case. Special Judge (SC/ST Act) Rakesh Pandey took serious note of the alleged irregularities in the probe and issued summons against former Amethi Additional Superintendent of Police Harendra Kumar and Circle Officer Akhilesh Verma. The court also directed that a copy of the order be sent to the Principal Secretary (Home) and Director General of Police for initiating departmental action. Government counsel Sushil Upadhyay said the court, while passing the order on Friday, termed the investigation process “deplorable”. The court observed that charge sheets against five named accused were submitted multiple times by different investigating officers, but the Kumar repeatedly returned the charge sheets and interfered in the investigation. The court noted that the name of accused Vikram Singh was dropped from the case and termed it an attempt to derail justice and protect the main accused through misuse of official position and interference in a fair investigation. The court allowed the victim’s plea and summoned Vikram Singh to face trial. It observed that a prima facie case was made out against the officials under provisions relating to criminal conspiracy, disobedience by public servant, giving false information, destruction of evidence and shielding offenders. If convicted, the accused may face imprisonment of up to seven years.
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