Two policemen suspended on charges of molesting Kedarnath pilgrim

Dehradun, July 5 (PTI) Two police sub-inspectors have been suspended on charges of molesting a Madhya Pradesh pilgrim in Kedarnath a year ago. Sub-inspector Kuldeep Negi and Kedarnath station house officer Manjul Rawat were suspended on the recommendation of an inquiry commission, Rudraprayag police superintendent (SP) Vishakha Ashok Bhadane told PTI.
The woman had come to visit Kedarnath in May 2023 with eight friends. After visiting the Himalayan temple, her friends returned by helicopter. However, she was left behind as there was no space in the helicopter. While she was waiting for the next return flight, the weather deteriorated and the helicopter had to be suspended for the day.
As there was no proper accommodation facility at the temple, she approached Rawat for help. He asked her to stay overnight at the police camp, saying a policewoman would be sent there for her safety, the SP said, quoting the woman’s complaint in this regard.
However, no woman policeman was sent to the Kedarnath police camp even though she was promised.
Instead, Sub-Inspector Negi came to the camp intoxicated and molested her, she alleged in her complaint. The next morning, she returned to Indore and complained to Rudraprayag SP on WhatsApp.
The SP has constituted an inquiry committee headed by the Guptkashi district officer to look into the matter. However, the investigation has not made much progress. The woman filed a complaint on the Uttarakhand CM helpline in October 2023.
Pramod Kumar, Dehradun Municipal Advocate, was then asked to personally look into the matter.
He recently submitted an administrative report accusing two policemen, following which a criminal complaint was filed against them at Sonprayag Kotwali on June 28 and both were suspended, a Rudraprayag spokesperson said.