Sub-inspector arrested and fired for raping policewoman at gunpoint

BHUPALPALLY: Kaleshwaram Sub-Inspector (SI) PVS Bhavanisen Goud was arrested and dismissed from service on Wednesday for allegedly raping a woman constable at gunpoint on Sunday. Bhupalpally Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) A. Sampath Rao arrested the accused SI and confiscated his service revolver.

The cases were registered under sections 449, 376(2)(a) (b), 324 and 506 of the Penal Code (IPC) and the accused sub-inspector was produced before the court. Section 376(2)(b) of the Penal Code (IPC) deals with a public servant committing rape of a woman in his or her custody or in the custody of a subordinate.

Inspector General of Police (Multi Zone-I) AV Ranganath said Goud was dismissed from service even before an inquiry was ordered against him.

Ranganath said that a case was registered against the SI at Rebbena police station in Kumurambheem Asifabad in July 2022 for sexually harassing a woman. The SI has also been accused of sexually abusing three other policewomen in the past, he added.

“His repeated acts of sexual violence are damaging the image and honour of the police force. Therefore, an investigation is not required at this stage. As per Article 311 of the Constitution, the SI has been dismissed from service without any investigation,” the IGP said in a press release.

A wolf in police clothing?

• A case of sexual harassment was registered against the accused SI in July 2022

• SI is also accused of abusing his official position to insult three other police officers

• The survivor in this case was abused, beaten at gunpoint and raped

Survivor first told Bhupalpally SP about her ordeal

The incident came to light on Wednesday when survivor Jayashankar Bhupalpally contacted SP Kiran Khare, a policewoman attached to Kaleshwaram police station in Bhupalpally district.

According to the complaint, the incident occurred on Sunday within the Kaleshwaram police station premises.

Goud ordered her to come to his residence at Laxmi Pump House on Sunday, where he beat her, threatened her at gunpoint and raped her, the complaint said.

Following the incident, the survivor reached her residence in the Mandal headquarters and narrated her ordeal to her husband on Tuesday. The couple then rushed to the SP’s office and informed Kiran Khare. The policewoman then filed a written complaint against the SI.

According to sources, the SP immediately deployed Bhupalpally DSP A Sampath Rao to investigate the incident. On Tuesday evening, the DSP reached Kaleshwaram police station, confiscated Goud’s service revolver and took him into custody.