Bombay HC reprimands cops for calling minor victim to police station

The Bombay HC on Wednesday said it will pronounce on April 2, its order on the appeal challenging bail granted to a trustee of an international school, alleged of raping a minor girl, last year.

Justice Revati, Mohite Dhere, while hearing the appeal questioned the way in which the probe was conducted by the MIDC Police. She said under the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), the police has to meet the victim in an environment in which he/she is comfortable to record their statement.

But it seems this was not done in the present case. The court has asked the police to produce before it the station diary of the police station to verify the claim made by the advocate that the child was called to the police station along with the mother for inquiry.

The mother of the victim and other parents has approached the court challenging the bail order. The police also filed an affidavit in the court refuting the allegation made by the victim's mother that the bail before the session's court was not opposed by the police. The court had on the last hearing, sought an explanation from the police.

The accused a French National was arrested last year and granted bail thereafter. He resumed duties and was attending school. In support of the victim, other 42 student's parents joined her plea, seeking cancellation of bail and restraining the trustee from entering the school.

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HC asked police to produce station diary to verify the claim made by the advocate that the child was called to the police station along with the mother for inquiry.