Mumbai model accuses IPS officer of rape, cops promise fair probe

After a senior IPS officer in Mumbai was booked for alleged rape on a complaint made by a model, the Mumbai police has said that it will ensure ‘fair investigation’ of the case. According to the police, the case has been registered in suburban Malwani police station under section 376 (2) (takes advantage of his official position and commits rape on a woman), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), and 354 (D) (stalking) of the Indian Penal Code against Sunil Paraskar, Deputy inspector general (protection of civil rights unit) at the Maharashtra police headquarters. [caption id=“attachment_1633117” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. AFP[/caption] The police officials said that the model approached the commissioner of police Rakesh Maria who directed to register the case. “The officer has been accused of allegedly raping and assaulting the model on pretext of providing help sought by her when he was additional commissioner of police. The model alleged in her complaint that she was raped on several occasions in a hotel in suburban Mumbai,” said a police officer. Paraskar was shifted to the Maharashtra police headquarters few months ago. The police added that the model used to visit the officer for some work. The Mumbai police has handed over the investigation to the crime against women cell. “Investigation of the case has taken up by the Crime Against Women Cell of Crime Branch. Mumbai police will take steps to ensure fair investigations of the case,” Mumbai police said in a statement. Despite the repeated attempts, Paraskar was not available for the comment.