Patna: A police officer posted as station house officer (SHO) faced the ire of deputy inspector-general of police (central range) Rajesh Kumar for being callous in dealing cases related to serious offences.

DIG Rajesh on Tuesday ordered suspension of the SHO of Patna Women's police station, Vibha Kumari, for her lapse in investigation into a case related to rape of a five-year-old in Patna on July 7.

The SHO not only dillydallied in lodging the complaint but also attempted to shield the accused. "The victim was not sent for medical examination even after 24 hours of the incident. In addition, the victim's family abandoned their house and shifted somewhere else because of threats from the accused. Deliberate attempts by the police officer concerned to protect the accused can't be ignored," Rajesh told The Telegraph.

He said such action showed gross negligence on the part of the SHO and invited stern action.

"I have directed Patna senior superintendent of police to keep such things in mind while posting any police officer as SHO. The same should not be repeated in future," the DIG said. Rajesh clarified that he entrusted the task of investigation to City SP (central) D. Amarkesh when he came to know about the rape of a five-year-old in the locality falling under the jurisdiction of Gardanibagh police station on July 7. "The FIR could have been lodged on July 9 (two days after the incident) but for the SHO's negligence and insensitivity (it wasn't)," the DIG added.

Earlier, SHOs of Agamkuan, Bypass and Bahadurpur police stations in Patna were put under suspension and departmental proceedings were initiated against them for dereliction of duty. The officers not only failed in performing their duty but also earned a bad name to the department by their unlawful actions.

While the SHOs of Bypass and Agamkuan police stations were suspended for sending a minor vegetable seller to jail on false charges, disciplinary action was initiated against the officer in-charge of Bahadurpur police station for helping a land mafia grab a building of a couple. "Such indiscipline in the police force can't be tolerated," said a senior police officer posted in Patna.