02 April,2026 01:40 PM IST | Akola | mid-day online correspondent
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A police officer in Maharashtra's Akola district has been arrested following serious allegations of misconduct involving a woman in custody, triggering public outrage and swift departmental action, reported news agency IANS.
The incident took place at the Civil Lines police station in Akola, where a woman was lodged after being arrested by cyber police in connection with an alleged fraud case involving Rs 80 lakh. She had been produced before a court and remanded to four days of police custody, reported IANS.
During this period, the woman alleged that an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) demanded sexual favours from her while she was under detention. The accusation has raised serious concerns about the safety and rights of individuals in police custody, reported IANS.
According to officials, the woman reported the incident to a female police officer at the station. The matter was promptly escalated to senior authorities. Upon receiving the complaint, a senior officer visited the police station and took immediate cognisance of the situation, reprimanding the accused ASI, reported IANS.
The woman subsequently filed a formal complaint, leading to the registration of a case against the officer at the same police station.
Following the complaint, the police department moved quickly to suspend the accused officer pending investigation. A search operation was launched, and the ASI was later apprehended by the local crime branch the same night, reported IANS.
Authorities have assured that strict action will be taken in accordance with the law, and that the investigation will be conducted impartially.
The seriousness of the allegations has sparked concern among citizens and drawn attention to issues of accountability within law enforcement agencies. The case has also reignited discussions on the need for stronger safeguards for individuals, especially women, in police custody.
Senior officials have reiterated that any form of misconduct by police personnel will not be tolerated and will be dealt with firmly.
In a separate incident reported on March 21 in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, a police constable was suspended and booked for allegedly making inappropriate demands to a 25-year-old rape survivor, reported IANS.
The accused, identified as Imran Khan, was posted at the Quarsi police station and allegedly asked the survivor to meet him in a hotel room and engage in sexual relations in exchange for action on her complaint. The survivor recorded phone conversations as evidence and approached senior officials, reported IANS.
Following her complaint, Senior Superintendent of Police Neeraj Kumar Jadaun ordered the constable's suspension and directed that a case be registered against him.
Both incidents have underscored the urgent need for stricter monitoring mechanisms and accountability within police systems to prevent abuse of power and ensure justice for victims. Authorities have indicated that internal reviews and corrective measures may be strengthened in light of such cases.
(With inputs from IANS)
