Following the allegations of gangrapes near Murthal on the intervening night of February 22 and 23 during Jat agitation and the Punjab & Haryana High Court taking cognizance of the matter, the Haryana Government on Friday constituted a committee of three women police officers headed by Deputy Inspector General of Police Rajshree Singh to receive complaints and gather information regarding the alleged incidents. The other two members of the committee are DSPs Bharti Dbas and Surinder Kaur.
Addressing a Press conference, Director General of Police YP Singal said that these women officers would be available round-the-clock in Sonipat till further orders. Sharing contact numbers of the three officers — Rajshree Singh-Ph: 9329995000, Bharti Dbas-Ph: 8053882302 and Surinder Kaur-Ph:9729990760 — the DGP appealed to people to come forward and provide any information, audio or video clips or photographs of the incident to them. He promised to ensure secrecy of informer’s identity.
He said that the Punjab & Haryana High Court has also taken cognizance of a news item, and directed Chief Judicial Magistrates in districts to gather information about the incident.
Meanwhile, the State legal Services Authority also set up toll-free helpline number 18001802057 — whereby any person having information about the incident can share it. The information can also be given to authority even on holidays during office time or on its website www.hslsa.nic.in.
Singal said that the Principal Secretary and Inspector General of Police had visited the spot of the incident and nearby area,
but no evidence of the incident could be found. Asked about the clothes of the alleged victims strewn on the spot, he said that these had been collected by the Superintendent of Police, Sonipat and investigation is in progress.
Singal also denied allegations that the police personnel at lower level were trying to cover up the episode.
He also appealed to the mediapersons to share information with the police to help it in nabbing the culprits.
Meanwhile, Additional Chief Secretary PK Das said that the State Government was very serious about this alleged incident and those found guilty would not be spared. He appealed to the people to cooperate and provide information without any fear as the identity of any informer would not be disclosed.
Asked whether the Women Commission could get the issue investigated of its own, Singal replied in affirmative saying that any statutory body did not require permission from the Government.
The DGP said that normalcy is fast returning in the State. “All railway tracks and highways are functional and withdrawal of the Army would begin today and continue in a phased manner,” he said, adding that 713 FIRs had been registered till 10 am on Friday and 133 people have been arrested.
Singal said 30 people have lost their lives during the stir.