Bareilly Police Officer Suspended for Molestation; Lawyer Daughter Wins Reinstatement in Court

A startling case from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, has caught public attention where a police officer’s suspension was overturned through a legal challenge by his own lawyer daughter. The case involves GRP head constable Taufiq Ahmed, accused of molesting a student on a train. Following a departmental inquiry, then IG GRP Dr. Rakesh Singh dismissed Taufiq from service. However, his daughter Anura Singh, a practicing advocate, contested the dismissal in the Allahabad High Court and successfully secured reinstatement for the constable.

The incident occurred on January 12, 2023, when a female student from Pilibhit, studying in Prayagraj, was returning home by the 15073 Triveni Express. While the train stopped at Bareilly Junction on January 13, it is alleged that Taufiq boarded her coach and molested her once the journey resumed. The student promptly filed a complaint under severe legal provisions including the POCSO Act, resulting in Taufiq’s arrest and incarceration.

The subsequent departmental inquiry upheld the allegations, prompting his dismissal by IG Dr. Rakesh Singh. In a surprising twist, Taufiq challenged the dismissal, and his daughter Anura Singh appeared in court on his behalf. She argued procedural flaws in the departmental inquiry and questioned the legality of the dismissal order. The High Court agreed and set aside the dismissal, ordering Taufiq’s reinstatement. Meanwhile, the criminal trial against him remains ongoing.

The case has sparked widespread discussion, especially within police and legal circles in Bareilly. It presents a paradox where the IG took strict disciplinary action against the officer, but his daughter legally reversed that decision, highlighting complexities within law enforcement and judicial processes. Public focus is now on the criminal case’s outcome, which will ultimately determine Taufiq Ahmed’s professional future and accountability.