SC pulls up Ghaziabad Police, Orders court-monitored probe in child murder case

The Supreme Court of India on Friday came down heavily on the Ghaziabad Police over what it termed an “insensitive” and deficient investigation into the alleged rape and murder of a four-year-old girl, and directed senior officials, including the police commissioner, to appear before it on April 13 with complete case records.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi expressed deep anguish over the manner in which the case was handled, observing that the investigation raised serious concerns and warranted a court-monitored, time-bound probe either by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) or a central agency.

The court took note of submissions made on behalf of the victim’s father, a daily wager, highlighting lapses in the initial police response and alleged negligence by private hospitals. The bench remarked that the facts of the case indicated a disturbing lack of sensitivity, both in the handling of the victim and in the subsequent investigation.

According to the submissions, the child was allegedly lured away by a neighbour on March 16 and later found unconscious and bleeding. The court noted with concern that two private hospitals reportedly refused to admit the critically injured child, who was eventually declared dead at a government facility.

The bench also flagged procedural lapses, including a delay in the registration of the FIR, which was lodged a day after the incident. It observed that crucial charges, including those under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and rape provisions, were initially not invoked despite indications of sexual assault.

Further, the court recorded allegations that the victim’s family faced harassment and intimidation when they approached local police. It underscored that such conduct compounded the trauma of the family.

The bench also expressed reservations over the police’s account of an “encounter” involving the accused, questioning how a person in custody could have accessed a firearm. It termed the sequence of events as questionable and sought clarity from the authorities.

Issuing notices to the Uttar Pradesh government, the station house officer concerned, two private hospitals, and the executive magistrate, the court directed them to file a status report. It also instructed that the identity of the victim and her family be strictly protected and warned against any harassment of the family members.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on April 13.