A child rights panel on Tuesday sought an explanation from the Uttar Pradesh police for its "objectionable" statements on Aarushi Talwar, the Noida teenager who was murdered along with a family domestic help, a crime for which her dentist father has been arrested.
"We have expressed anguish over the language used by Gurdarshan Singh (Inspector General of Police - Meerut Zone) about the deceased girl. It is highly objectionable and we have asked him to respond in 15 days," said Sandhya Bajaj, a member of the National Commission For Protection of Child Rights.
She said that as Aarushi was not there to "defend" herself, it was highly improper for the police to besmirch her name and her dignity.
"We asked the police to explain the basis of remarks that she (Aarushi) was found in an 'objectionable but not compromising position' with (domestic help) Hemraj and that this prompted her father to kill them both," Bajaj told IANS.
Aarushi, a Class 9 student of Delhi Public School (Noida), was found dead with her throat slit and multiple stab injuries on her face, chest and neck May 16.
Hemraj, who the police initially named as the prime suspect, was found dead on the terrace of the house the next day. Aarushi's dentist father was arrested last Friday.
{{/usCountry}}Hemraj, who the police initially named as the prime suspect, was found dead on the terrace of the house the next day. Aarushi's dentist father was arrested last Friday.
{{/usCountry}}"We have also asked the police to explain why it was necessary to say what was said about the girl, when there was no confession from the accused about why he committed the crime," Bajaj said, adding that the commission had taken the matter very seriously.
"We are really upset. It's the question of a child's dignity. The police have to explain what were the compulsions. If there is need, we would come out with guidelines to stop police from naming children in such fashion," Bajaj said.