Ggn sex assault: 4-yr-old’s parents in SC for CBI/SIT probe

New Delhi: Parents of a four-year-old sexually assaulted girl moved Supreme Court on Friday seeking a CBI or SIT probe into the incident while accusing Gurgaon police of inaction in arresting the accused — a man and his housemaid — despite the child naming them before a magistrate.In a dramatic manner, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi narrated the harrowing incident and the helplessness of the parents in the face of the investigating officer showing lethargy in arresting the accused, securing the CCTV footage and the area of assault within a housing society.He said, "A four-year-old girl child was sexually assaulted in Gurgaon a month ago with the help of a housemaid by the perpetrator. The child was taken to hospital. She was produced before a magistrate for recording of her statement under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act."The girl recounted her ordeal before the magistrate and pointed out the place of assault in the housing society and named the perpetrators. An investigating officer was appointed for the case who had earlier been suspended on charges of corruption in some other case.Rohatgi added, "The place of assault is not secured, the CCTV footage is not seized, and no arrest has been made. The parents are running from pillar to post. The matter is getting delayed and not a thing has moved for three weeks. The parents came to me yesterday and I have prepared a petition under Article 32. It requires immediate attention of the SC, and a message should go (to police to take prompt action)."CJI Kant asked, "What is the nature of direction you are seeking?" Rohatgi said, "For a proper investigation, remove Gurgaon police and transfer the case to CBI or set up a special investigation team as nothing has happened for the last three weeks. In Gurgaon, such shocking incidents are happening."When the CJI asked if he had approached the HC, Rohatgi said, "No. I have come to the SC directly as a message has to go from the highest court. The SC should issue notice and seek police response as to how CCTV footage was not taken into custody and how the accused were not arrested. This incident cries for SC's attention."The bench of CJI Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi said, "Punjab and Haryana HC is very proactive in such cases. They take immediate cognizance of such matters. If only you had written a letter to the HC chief justice, he would have already taken cognizance."When Rohatgi said that to approach the HC, the parents would have to go to Chandigarh from Gurgaon, the bench agreed to list the petition for hearing on Monday.