Police officer under fire for allegedly molesting female civic volunteer at Park Street PS

A Kolkata police officer has been charged with molesting a woman civic volunteer posted at the same police station. The woman accused the cop of touching her inappropriately and claimed that the police refused to file her complaint. According to the woman, the incident occurred on the night of October 4 when she was on duty at Park Street Police Station, where Sub-Inspector Abhishek Roy was posted.

In her complaint, the woman claimed that Roy called her to the resting room around 1.10 am and offered her a salwar suit as a gift for Durga Puja. The cop then tried to make advances towards her and touched her inappropriately, she claimed. When the woman resisted, the cop, who she said appeared to be intoxicated, tried to exert force on her. She also mentioned an incident involving Roy on September 25, when he allegedly made a similar advance while drunk, which she chose not to report at the time.

The woman claimed that she informed the duty officer at the police station about the cop's behavior, but he downplayed the incident. Her brother also arrived at the police station and tried to complain, but the duty officer offered to settle the matter verbally. The woman then sent copies of her complaint to senior officials, including the West Bengal Home Secretary and the Commissioner of Police, following which an investigation was launched.

An FIR was registered under Section 74 (use of criminal force or assault against a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Priyobroto Roy stated that the accused cop has been "closed from duty" pending the outcome of a departmental inquiry.

Under "closed from duty," the police officer is relieved. However, he still gets paid his monthly salary, which starkly contrasts with an officer who is suspended. "The matter is being investigated thoroughly," said DCP Roy. "We are also examining the role of the duty officer at the time of the incident." An investigation has been launched, and CCTV footage from the police station is being reviewed.