Noida: A station house officer and sub-inspector have been suspended for alleged lapses in probing a complaint of rape, concealment of identity, extortion and religious conversion.The action was taken against Phase-3 SHO Puneet Kumar and sub-inspector Preeti Gupta, the investigating officer, after questions were raised over how the case was handled, particularly the failure to invoke provisions of the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act and the SC/ST Act.According to police officials, the complainant alleged that the accused befriended a woman while hiding his religious identity, drew her into a relationship on the promise of marriage, and then raped her repeatedly. She also alleged that he recorded objectionable videos of her and used threats of circulating the clips on social media to sexually assault her and extort lakhs of rupees.As criticism mounted over police response, commissioner Laxmi Singh sought an explanation from DCP (central) Noida Shakti Mohan Avasthy. A preliminary inquiry was also ordered against ACP Umesh Yadav.The case triggered protests outside Phase 3 police station. Senior officers reached the spot and assured protesters that the investigation would be fair and impartial. The investigation has now been transferred to the additional DCP, while police teams continue efforts to trace and arrest the accused.
