Justice – Supreme Court Raises Concerns Over Ghaziabad Police Handling Child Case
Justice – The Supreme Court on Monday expressed serious concern over the conduct of the Ghaziabad police in a disturbing case involving the alleged rape and murder of a four-year-old girl. The court pointed out what it described as hesitation on the part of the police in registering a First Information Report and carrying out a thorough investigation in the matter.
Court Seeks Transparency in Investigation
During the hearing, the bench instructed the Ghaziabad police to provide a copy of the charge sheet to the victim’s family without delay. The directive came after the court was informed that a charge sheet had already been submitted on April 3 under stricter provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, emphasized the importance of keeping the victim’s family informed about the progress of the case. The judges also referred to concerns earlier noted in an order dated April 10, indicating that several aspects of the investigation still required closer scrutiny.
Hospitals Asked to Respond to Allegations
In addition to examining the police’s role, the court turned its attention to two private hospitals—Khajan Singh Mannvi Health Care and St Joseph Hospital. Both institutions have been accused of refusing medical treatment to the injured child.
The bench directed these hospitals to submit affidavits addressing the allegations made against them. The court indicated that the denial of medical care, if proven, would raise serious questions about compliance with legal and ethical responsibilities in emergency situations.
Plea for Independent Probe
The case reached the Supreme Court through a petition filed by the child’s father, who works as a daily wage labourer. In his plea, he requested a court-monitored investigation, suggesting that either a Special Investigation Team or the Central Bureau of Investigation should take over the case to ensure fairness and impartiality.
Representing the police, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the court about the filing of the charge sheet and the inclusion of enhanced charges under the POCSO Act. The court took note of these submissions while continuing to assess the adequacy of the investigation.
Sequence of Events Leading to Incident
According to the prosecution, the incident took place on March 16. The child was allegedly taken away by a neighbour under the pretext of buying chocolates. When she did not return home, her father began searching for her and eventually found her in an unconscious state, severely injured and covered in blood.
This sequence of events formed the basis of the charges filed by the police. However, questions remain regarding the timeliness and effectiveness of both the investigation and the medical response.
Concerns Over Medical Negligence
During the proceedings, Senior Advocate N Hariharan, appearing on behalf of the victim’s father, raised concerns about the alleged refusal of treatment by the hospitals. He argued that timely medical intervention might have saved the child’s life.
The court acknowledged these concerns and stressed that no victim should be denied medical care under any circumstances. The issue of access to emergency treatment is expected to be examined further in subsequent hearings.
Case to Be Heard Again Next Week
The court recorded submissions from all parties and noted that a status report had been submitted by the police authorities. The matter has now been scheduled for further hearing next week, where additional details are expected to be reviewed.
Earlier, on April 10, the Supreme Court had already criticized the approach of the Ghaziabad police, describing it as lacking sensitivity in handling a case of such gravity. The latest observations suggest that the court intends to closely monitor developments to ensure accountability at every level.