ACP will have to be taught on investigating sensitive cases relating to women: HC

Aurangabad, April 13:

The Aurangabad Bench of Bombay High Court comprising Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice B U Debadwar has informed the commissioner of police (CP) that it is necessary to teach lessons to the assistant commissioner of police Nishikant Bhujbal on how to investigate such sensitive case relating to women before handing it over to him.

The court also expressed its displeasure saying that the investigating officer Bhujbal had not arrested the accused, who is a political person, by distrusting the statement of the rape victim.

On the basis of a complaint lodged by the victim, who is a teacher, the Cidco police station had booked Maheboob Shaikh on December 26, 2020. The victim had filed a petition in the court when the accused himself was in the police station and the cops did not arrest him.

When the case came up for hearing, the veteran legal expert Rajendra Deshmukh (who represented the victim), brought into the notice of the bench that the union Ministry of Home Affairs had circulated an order to all the state chief secretaries. The order dated October 9, 2020, stated that it is mandatory that the investigation of a severe crime against women should be completed in two months. If this is not done then the investigating officer will be held responsible for it.

The chief government pleader D R Kale, brought to the notice of the court that the complaint is false. The participation of the accused has not been revealed, therefore, the police had submitted a ' B' summary report. Hence the High Court disposed of the case and ordered the judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) to give 'B' summary report to the victim in two weeks and invite her objection on it. Later on, the judicial magistrate, without getting influenced by the High Court's

observation, on the basis of merit, should take the decision on the 'B' summary report.

The bench also ordered to send copies of the decision to all the commissioners of police (CPs), the IGPs and the district superintendent of police (SPs) in the state.