Mumbai: The Bombay High Court criticised the Mumbai and state police for not taking prompt action in investigating crimes against women and children. Due to this the accused are escaping and asked the police that if the police is being insensitive in such cases then whom should the women and children go to?
The court summoned Advocate General Birendra Saraf and said that the court hears many cases against women and children every day and the police is accused of not conducting proper investigation. The court said that if 80 out of 100 cases are being investigated incorrectly, then the system needs to be improved.
Can you tell us where these victimised women should go? They are victims and if such a system is in place then where should they go? Saraf raised the question in court and assured that corrective steps will be taken.
The court, however, was not satisfied, saying Maharashtra was considered progressive and safer for women compared to other states.
The court has summoned Saraf in view of the poor investigation in five cases. Earlier, the senior inspector, ACP, DCP, Additional CP and Police Commissioner were asked to file affidavits. Finally, the Additional Chief Secretary of the state was asked to file an affidavit, but no one gave a satisfactory answer.
A case was being heard in which the accused molested a woman by tearing her clothes. The reason the police did not seize the clothes was because she had not brought any other clothes with her. In another case, an ex-boyfriend was stalking a medical student who uploaded objectionable pictures of her. The scared girl did not leave the house.
The court said that a senior officer handing over his work to a constable and not wanting to do the work himself or help the accused is a serious matter.
After the court’s decision, the accused withdrew their plea to withdraw the case against them. The police assured the court that the medical student would be given security so that she could appear in the exam.
