Bihar woman constable kidnapped, sexually assaulted; cops cite prior relationship

A woman Home Guard constable has alleged that she was kidnapped and sexually assaulted in Bihar's Vaishali district, while police have disputed the allegations, saying the case stems from a prior relationship between the woman and the accused.

According to the woman's family, the accused, identified as Subodh Paswan, along with his brother and two others, allegedly kidnapped the Home Guard constable and her minor sister while they were returning from a market. The family alleged that both daughters were confined inside a house, where the constable was sexually assaulted.

The family further claimed that after they informed the police, officers rescued the woman Home Guard constable from the accused's house. However, they alleged that the accused managed to flee from the spot during the police operation.

"My daughters had gone to the market with their father when Subodh Paswan allegedly kidnapped them. He also assaulted my husband when he tried to rescue them. We even went to Paswan's house and pleaded with him to release my daughters, but he refused. Left with no other option, we approached the police. I want him to be sent to jail because he has been harassing my daughter for a long time. He is a married man with three children, yet he continues to assault my daughter," the woman constable's mother told India Today TV.

Mahua Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Sanjeev Kumar, however, presented a different version of events. He said the woman and the accused were previously in a relationship and that after she secured her job, she began distancing herself from him.

According to the SDPO, the accused allegedly molested the woman following a dispute arising out of the relationship. He said the case did not involve kidnapping or rape, adding that the woman had been sent for a medical examination.

The officer said police would register a case after receiving a formal complaint from the family and that raids were underway to arrest the accused.

Police also said they had received information suggesting that the woman and the accused had previously entered into a court marriage. However, this claim has not been independently verified.

The woman has been admitted to a hospital for treatment, and her medical examination is underway. The investigation is in progress.

- Ends

(With inputs from Vikash Kumar.)