AP high court criticises conduct of police in minor girl’s assault case

Vijayawada: The high court on Friday came down heavily on the police for allegedly attempting to dilute a sexual assault case involving a Dalit minor and questioned their conduct in pressurising the survivor's family to withdraw the complaint.The case relates to a complaint lodged by a minor girl from Bhimavaram town, accusing a man and his son of sexual assault and caste abuse. A case was registered under the POCSO Act and other relevant laws. Alleging that senior police officers were pressurising the family to withdraw the case, the girl's mother approached the high court seeking a fair and impartial investigation.Taking serious note of the allegations, the high court summoned Bhimavaram DSP Raghuveer Vishnu to the court. He appeared before the bench on Friday and said the complaint was filed for political reasons. Taking strong exception to the submission, Justice Y Lakshman Rao asked him on what basis such a conclusion was drawn, adding that it was for the competent court to determine whether there were political or other motives behind a complaint, and not for the investigating officer to speculate.Noting that the investigation should focus on the complaint and the statements recorded under Section 164 of CrPC instead of attributing motives to the complainant, Justice Rao asked the DSP to read out the complaint. Noting that the 13-year-old survivor had made detailed allegations in her complaint and there was supporting material for investigation, the court questioned the delay in arresting the accused as the complaint was lodged in Feb. Observing that the explanation offered by the DSP was unsatisfactory and appeared to favour the accused, Justice Rao summoned the West Godavari district SP to appear before the court in person with all case records and posted the matter for further hearing to May 1.