Cases against stone pelters for attacking cops, says Shanti Dhariwal

Jaipur: Rajasthan parliamentary affairs minister Shanti Dhariwal on Monday said cases had been registered against those who pelted stones at police officers and damaged vehicles during protests following the alleged rape of a seven-year-old girl at Shastri Nagar here on July 1.

Dhariwal informed the House that cases under nine sections of the IPC were registered against protesters who indulged in vandalism on July 2.

He was responding to charges of ‘inaction’ by the police in the rape case made by BJP MLA Ashok Lahoti during the Zero Hour.

Lahoti said the protesters had unleashed a reign of terror on the roads, but police remained a mute spectator. “July 1 was a shameful day for all of us. A seven-year-old girl was raped and the culprit was at large for six days. The accused was involved in 65 cases including heinous crimes such as rape and murder,” he said.

Transport minister Pratap Singh Khachariawas interjected Lahoti’s allegations.

When other members of the opposition BJP created uproar in the Assembly, Speaker adjourned the House for 10 minutes.

When the House reassembled, Leader of the opposition Gulab Chand Kataria said though police arrested the rape accused, action against those who created ruckus should also be taken.

Dhariwal said 500-600 people had gathered on roads and pelted stones at policemen and windowpanes of 50-60 vehicles were damaged on July 2.

“Efforts are on to arrest them. The man who has been arrested in the rape case is a hardcore criminal. It was not easy for police to arrest him,” he said. He claimed that the police action prevented further escalation of the situation.

Police had banned mobile Internet in 13 police station areas for five days and additional forces were deployed in Shastri Nagar to maintain law and order. The accused was arrested from Kota on Saturday.