SIT to investigate the case; known for his integrity, the officer was recently awarded a silver medal by DGP Prashant Kumar for his contributions
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – The undue haste in registering a First Information Report (FIR) and subsequent action against Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mohammad Mohsin Khan following allegations of rape by a 26-year-old research scholar from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur have raised eyebrows. The officer, also a PhD student at the institute, has been transferred to the office of the Director General of Police (DGP) in Lucknow, while a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to investigate the matter.
The SIT would be led by DCP Ankita Sharma, Additional Commissioner of Police Harish Chander was quoted by media reports as saying on Saturday. “An FIR has been filed based on the complaint. Further investigation is slated to proceed under the SIT’s supervision,” he said.
Khan is a 2013 UPPSC batch officer and has served in the police force since 2015. Known for his integrity, he was recently awarded a silver medal by DGP Prashant Kumar for his contributions. His colleagues expressed disbelief over the accusations and questioned the speed of the investigation, noting that police cases like these often face delays.
The complainant, pursuing a PhD in Cyber Crime, alleged that ACP Khan sexually exploited her under the false promise of marriage. She alleged that Khan, during their academic interactions, falsely claimed to be unmarried and assured her of entering into a marriage bond.
However, Khan calls the allegations “baseless.” He explained that they became friends during their PhD studies and that the scholar had been pressuring him to marry her. He claimed that allegations were made after seeing his photo with his wife. Khan also alleged that the scholar had previously self-harmed and visited his home multiple times, to blackmail him.
The complainant scholar was reportedly peeved after learning that Khan was already married. She wanted Khan to end their relationship, but Khan maintained that he was in the process of obtaining a divorce and would marry her once things were finalised. Feeling deceived, the scholar filed a complaint at Kalyanpur police station, prompting the police to register an FIR.
The complainant underwent a medical examination late at night at the Barasirohi Community Health Centre, raising further doubts about the impartiality of the process. His relatives and family question why the examination was conducted at night and at a less prominent facility when Kanpur has several well-equipped government hospitals and medical colleges, a report in The Observer Post said.
In response to the allegations, DCP Ankita Sharma and Additional DCP Singh visited IIT Kanpur in plain clothes to meet the complainant and verify her claims. A police official stated, “Preliminary evidence supports the allegations, prompting the ACP’s immediate transfer to ensure a fair investigation.”
IIT Kanpur Director Manindra Agrawal assured full support for the student during the investigation. In a statement, he said, “The institute is committed to assisting the student and cooperating with the authorities. We urge everyone to respect her privacy during this difficult time.” The director also expressed gratitude to the city police for their prompt action.
In response to the allegations, DCP Ankita Sharma and Additional DCP Singh visited IIT Kanpur in plain clothes to meet the complainant and verify her claims. A police official stated, “Preliminary evidence supports the allegations, prompting the ACP’s immediate transfer to ensure a fair investigation.”
IIT Kanpur Director Manindra Agrawal assured full support for the student during the investigation. In a statement, he said, “The institute is committed to assisting the student and cooperating with the authorities. We urge everyone to respect her privacy during this difficult time.” The director also expressed gratitude to the city police for their prompt action.
