Probe into rape victim child's sexual harassment charge against cops

CHANDIGARH: WEDNESDAY (05.07.2017) Today, the Superintendent of Police, Kaithal, filed his reply before the Bench of J. Anita Chaudhary of Chandigarh High Court, in response to the 14 years old minor child's prayer to the High Court for registering FIR against the Police officials of C.I.A. Staff; alleging that she was asked to unbutton her clothes, the victim had said that the act of the policemen on duty was more humiliating that the rape.  “The policemen by getting opened the buttons of my shirt wanted to inquire whether wrong act (rape) had been committed with me or not. I even feel ashamed to write here about the humiliating questions of the policemen…,” After the recovery, the girl was taken to the CIA Police Station; rather than being taken to women cell staff. On the pretext of investigation, the policemen sexually harassed her.

         Superintendent of Police, Kaithal in his reply before the High Court has submitted that "the accused Sahil (a minor boy with whom the victim girl had allegedly eloped) was arrested on 30.11.2016...A Special Investigation Team headed by Tarun Kumar, D.S.P.(HQ) was constituted. On through investigation the allegations made against the police officials have been found to be false. On completion of investigation a report u/s 173 Cr.P.C. has been submitted before Illaqa Magistrate on 24.01.2017" REPLY OF THE S.P. IS AS FOLLOWS:

        "One wonders how the Superintendent of Police, without registration of F.I.R. against the police officials, can come to conclusion that the allegations made against the police officials have been found to be false. In the criminal law it is settled position that for conducting investigation the registration of FIR is the precondition. If the similar allegation had been against an ordinary citizen he would have been arrested for investigation after registration of FIR. The police officials are also required to be interrogated and investigated like an ordinary citizen" said Pardeep Kumar Rapria, Advocate for the 14 years old girl.  Moreover, after High Court notice the media prominently ha published the statements the Secretary Home, Haryana Govt. and other senior officers that the investigation had been handed over to the senior Police Officer, I.G., Karnal Range. Accordingly, the statement of the victim girl and her family members was recorded. But, the reply of the S.P., Kaithal; there is no mention the investigation by I.G., Karnal. It means the wide media coverage to prominent statements of senior officers and politicians about the fair investigation by I.G., Karnal was just an eyewash. It appears that the statements in the media were given just with a view to take credit in the eyes of public. Otherwise, why the HC has not been apprised about the so called investigation by the I.G.(Karnal Range). Now, the High Court has fixed the case for arguments on 03.10.2017 to decide whether the FIR is required to be registered against the police officials.