The Bombay high court, hearing the case of the alleged sexual abuse of two minor girls in a school in Thane district's Badlapur, on Thursday pulled up the Maharashtra Police, asking it why the statement of the second victim was not recorded.
The division bench comprising Justice Revati Mohite-Dere and Justice Prithviraj K Chavan also asked the police to provide details about the steps taken to ensure the security and safety of the two girls and said it would examine the measures.
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“We are appalled by the fact that the Badlapur Police did not record the statement of the second victim girl under Section 164," the justices stated according to an Indian Express report.
“Since this is a suo motu PIL on larger issues security and safety of girls cannot be compromised. Unless there is a strong public outburst, the machinery does not work,” the bench noted.
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HC pulls up Badlapur school
The Bombay high court also rapped the Badlapur school authorities for not reporting the sexual abuse to the police even though they were aware it was happening. The high court also hoped that "no stone will be left unturned to ensure justice”.
{{/usCountry}}The Bombay high court also rapped the Badlapur school authorities for not reporting the sexual abuse to the police even though they were aware it was happening. The high court also hoped that "no stone will be left unturned to ensure justice”.
{{/usCountry}}Justice Mohite-Dere probed the Maharashtra police on why statements in the case were delayed. She said, “You (police) recorded statements so belatedly, the incident is of August 13 and the FIR is of 16th, statement recorded now? Why statements of parents were not recorded earlier? Duty of the police officer is to record the statement as per procedures. We are interested in ensuring victims get justice.”
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The division bench also noted that only after the suo motu PIL was registered yesterday, the statement of the father of one of the victims was recorded belatedly post midnight.