HC flags ‘slipshod’ police probe after DNA clears accused in Katra Pocso case

JAMMU: High court of J&K and Ladakh ordered Friday a special investigating team to reinvestigate the rape of an orphan girl in pilgrimage town Katra after flagging “slipshod” police probe and saying scientific evidence had ruled out accused Pawan Kumar alias Raja as father of child born to the minor survivor in Feb 2022.

Case stems from FIR registered at Katra police station under Pocso Act and IPC sections related to rape and criminal intimidation of minor, who became pregnant and gave birth to a girl child. The infant died but her DNA was kept during investigation. Police arrested and taken blood samples from Katra resident Pawan, but DNA profiling of deceased infant cleared him of offence.

Court expressed surprise that despite DNA evidence, investigating officer failed to pursue alleged role of another suspect — Balak Ram — whose name had surfaced in a separate complaint lodged at a police station in Udhampur district, around 95km northeast of Jammu.

Justice Rajnesh Oswal directed IGP Jammu to form an SIT within seven days and identify the “real offender” behind sexual exploitation of girl. Court refused to quash FIR and directed IGP to file compliance report by June 29.