Meerut: A minor Dalit rape survivor and her mother approached Meerut SSP Akhilesh Meena, claiming that the investigating officer in the case had dropped stringent rape charges (IPC 376) and replaced it with the milder section 354 A (sexual harassment) while producing the charge-sheet in court.In a letter, the mother of the 12-year-old claimed that the investigating officer, Ram Arj, an cop of the rank of DSP, had allegedly accepted bribe from the accused and pressed a bailable charge against him, weakening the case and helping him comfortably secure bail.In his defence, DSP Arj, also circle officer (Civil Lines), said that the girl’s medical test didn't prove rape, which is why the charges were dropped during investigation. Police produced a charge-sheet in less than 30 days of filing of the FIR in the case.On October 16, the accused had allegedly cornered the minor girl in his house and raped her. He had also purportedly threatened the victim of dire consequences if she tried to approach police.The victim had narrated her ordeal to her parents, who then approached police with a complaint. A case under section 376 (rape), 506 (criminal intimidation) and relevant sections of POCSO and SC/ST (Prevention of atrocities) Act was lodged at Nauchandi police station. The case was handed over to DSP Arj.Senior police officers are now claiming that they are ready for a fresh probe in the backdrop of serious allegations made by the victim's family. “The charges were removed during the course of investigation done by a senior cop. If needed, we will launch a fresh probe under SP (city)," SSP Meena said.

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