MUMBAI: Observing that investigation into a rape case first information report (FIR) presents a “sordid state of affairs’’, Bombay high court recently directed police superintendent of district in Maharashtra to personally look into the matter and take steps including to change the investigating officer, who has remained unresponsive despite court’s notice being served on him.The HC directed that the investigation be handed over to a woman officer not less than rank of Deputy SP. The bench noted that despite promptly reporting to the police, the offence of rape was added later, for ‘reasons best known’ to the officer.
The IO against whom personal and serious allegations were made “is not responsive and could have some ulterior intention,’ said the Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay HC. The HC division bench of Justices Mangesh Patil and Shailesh Brahme said the IO had not bothered to respond to personal allegations made against him, nor appeared in court and left the prosecutor without assistance in a petition filed by the woman.
The petitioner, in a live-in relationship, alleged being assaulted by the kin of the man’s wife against whom she made allegations of rape, the HC order said. She alleged that even her live-in partner and her family were assaulted in January.
The charge sheet was filed last month without any of the 11 accused being arrested. The accused got temporary bail from sessions court but the HC said there were no instructions on what steps the IO was taking to contest the bail proceedings. “All these facts and circumstances in our considered view substantiate the apprehension of the petitioner and even her allegation that all is not well with the investigation”.
The HC asked the SP to take appropriate steps in the matter.
The IO against whom personal and serious allegations were made “is not responsive and could have some ulterior intention,’ said the Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay HC. The HC division bench of Justices Mangesh Patil and Shailesh Brahme said the IO had not bothered to respond to personal allegations made against him, nor appeared in court and left the prosecutor without assistance in a petition filed by the woman.
The petitioner, in a live-in relationship, alleged being assaulted by the kin of the man’s wife against whom she made allegations of rape, the HC order said. She alleged that even her live-in partner and her family were assaulted in January.
The charge sheet was filed last month without any of the 11 accused being arrested. The accused got temporary bail from sessions court but the HC said there were no instructions on what steps the IO was taking to contest the bail proceedings. “All these facts and circumstances in our considered view substantiate the apprehension of the petitioner and even her allegation that all is not well with the investigation”.
The HC asked the SP to take appropriate steps in the matter.
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