A shocking case of misconduct has surfaced from Phillaur, where Station House Officer (SHO) Bhushan Kumar has been suspended and sent to Police Lines after being accused of harassing the mother of a 14-year-old rape victim and delaying justice in her case for over a month and a half.
The case began on August 23, when a 14-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a 19-year-old neighbour. The victim’s family rushed to Phillaur police station, but instead of taking swift action, SHO Bhushan Kumar reportedly dismissed the complaint, saying, “I don’t think your daughter was raped".
When the victim's mother insisted for medical check-up, the SHO allegedly said, "let me do the check-up myself or let me call the accused and get him slapped".
The victim's mother said that despite repeated visits to the police station, no FIR was registered, nor was the girl’s medical examination conducted.
Weeks later, when the mother met the SHO again, his behaviour reportedly turned inappropriate. She alleged that the officer started making personal advances instead of handling the case professionally. The mother said she repeatedly pleaded for justice for her daughter but was instead subjected to humiliation and fear. “I told him we are poor people, we only want justice for our daughter. But he kept calling me, asking me to come alone to his quarters,” she said.
The viral audio clips, reportedly containing four separate phone conversations between SHO Bhushan Kumar and the victim’s mother, reveal the officer persistently asking the woman to meet him in his room once her husband left for work. In one call, the SHO is heard saying, “As soon as your husband leaves, come to my room.” In another, he repeatedly instructs her to come “alone”, ignoring her hesitation and fear. The woman can be heard trying to avoid the meeting, saying she is scared, while the SHO continues pressing her to come to his government residence near the court. These recordings have now caused widespread outrage, with many calling them “a disgrace to the uniform.”
Finally, on October 5 — nearly six weeks after the incident — the FIR was registered, reportedly under the SHO’s dictation. Even then, the victim’s medical examination was not conducted. It was only after the audio recordings surfaced publicly that senior police officers took action against Bhushan Kumar.
SSP Harvinder Singh Virk confirmed that the SHO has been moved to Police Lines and that a senior-rank officer will investigate the matter. “The audio clips will be forensically examined, and strict action will be taken based on the report,” he said. Inspector Aman Saini has been appointed as the new SHO of Phillaur.
Meanwhile, this is not the first time Bhushan Kumar has faced disciplinary action. He was earlier suspended during his posting in Jalandhar West following a dispute with an AAP leader and was later transferred to Phillaur.
The latest incident has triggered anger and disappointment among residents, who have demanded strict legal action against the officer. “Such behaviour from a police officer is a betrayal of public trust,” said social activist Kavita Joshi. “This case shows how those in uniform can misuse their position to intimidate victims instead of protecting them.”
