Police lodge FIR days after teen basketball player’s death
Chandigarh, Dec 7: Haryana Police have registered an FIR against unknown persons based on a complaint lodged by the family of a teenage basketball player, who died after the iron pole of a basketball hoop fell on him during practice in Rohtak district last month, an official said on Sunday. The family of Hardik Rathi, who competed in the sub-junior national championships earlier, filed the complaint on Saturday, a police officer in Rohtak said. “The complaint seeks action against anyone whose negligence led to the incident,” Lakhanmajra SHO Samarjeet Singh said. Hardik and another teen died in eerily similar accidents in Haryana last month after the iron pole of the hoop crushed then on court during practice. The twin tragedies in Rohtak and Jhajjar districts brought the state’s sports infrastructure under scrutiny. While 16-year-old Hardik died in Rohtak, Aman, 15, who was injured in Bahadurgarh, breathed his last during treatment at PGIMS Rohtak (PTI)
After spending 8 years in prison, man acquitted in POCSO case
Mumbai, Dec 7: Having spent eight years in prison after being arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a girl, a 56-year-old man has been acquitted by the trial court citing “scanty evidence”. The statement of the victim, who was said to be suffering from moderate intellectual disability, contradicted other evidence, said the special court for Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. In the ruling delivered on November 28, judge N D Khose held that “evidence adduced by the prosecution is scanty and not sufficient to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt”. As per the prosecution, the incident took place on August 23, 2017, in Kurar area of Malad (East). The accused, who was the girl’s neighbour, allegedly entered her house when she was alone, sexually assaulted her, and threatened her family. The girl’s mother filed a police complaint and the accused was arrested on August 24, 2017, for rape under the Indian Penal Code as well as offences under the POCSO Act. (PTI)
Woman cop arrested in connection with SHO’s murder
Jalaun/Sant Kabir Nagar (UP), Dec 7: A woman constable has been arrested in connection with the alleged murder of a station house officer (SHO) in Uttar Pradesh’s Jalaun district, who died of a gunshot wound under suspicious circumstances, officials said on Sunday. According to the police, Rai died of a gunshot injury on Friday night. Following the incident, his wife Maya Rai accused constable Meenakshi Sharma – posted with Dial 112 – of murdering her husband. Based on her complaint, Sharma was arrested on Sunday. Police sources said Sharma was present at Rai’s official residence at the time of the incident and was the one who informed other personnel about the shooting. Meanwhile, Sharma’s past controversies have also resurfaced. During her earlier posting at Bahedi police station in Bareilly, she was reportedly involved in a dispute between two constables which escalated to a firearm being discharged inside the police station, though no one was injured. (PTI)
