PIL questions police role in quizzing minor boy in sexual assault case, HC seeks reply

The letter questioned the manner in which police, “dressed in uniform” went to the school in a police van and picked up the minor boy for questioning. “Prima facie discussion with the boy’s father and other parents in the school indicated a case of sexual assault of a five-year-old girl who had to undergo treatment in Sion Hospital for injuries. So the probability is very high that there is an adult involved,” the letter says.

It, however, alleges that the implication of the minor boy looks like an attempt of the police to shield the adult who might be the culprit.

Mukundan relied on newspaper reports wherein it was reported that a five-year-old girl was purportedly sexually molested in her school. A case was registered by Antop Hill police station and the girl had given a name to the police. The name matched with a couple of names in the school — the watchman who is 55 years old and her minor classmate. According to the article, the letter states, the girl identifies the boy as the one who hurt her.

The letter has raised questions over police conduct in questioning the victim and also the way in which the minor boy was summoned for questioning.

“Did the police have an identification process? If yes, was there anyone from the civil society involved? Was the Child Welfare Committee informed of the same? Was there a lady officer present at that time?” the letter questions.