Delhi HC takes suo motu cognisance of gangrape, pulls up police

Taking suo motu cognisance of the gangrape of a 23-year-old girl in a moving bus here, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday pulled up the city police asking how the offence remained undetected.

"This incident is of great concern for all the citizens of the capital city as it relates to the safety particularly of women and girl children in Delhi," a Bench headed by Chief Justice D Murugesan said and asked city Police Commissioner to file a detailed status report within two days

The court was anguished over the non-implementation of the Supreme Court order on complete ban of vehicles with tinted glasses and asked the counsel for the Delhi Police to explain as to how it has not been implemented so far.

"There are two important questions. The first is the investigation in the case and the second is the preventive measures. We want to know what preventive measures have been taken by the police to prevent such incidents," the Bench also comprising Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said.

"The court on its own motion has listed the matter," the Bench said.

Asking the police to file status report, the Bench said the probe must be "of high standards" and the final chargesheet "has to be" filed only after its perusal by this court.

"We would be issuing necessary directions time to time in this court. This court will also issue the guidelines after taking note of the contentions of all concerned," it said.

The court also expressed surprise as to how the bus, having tinted glasses, kept plying on Delhi roads for 40 minutes during which the sexual assault of the girl remained undetected.

"We are at loss to understand as to how the bus could evade surveillance for 40 minutes... The Commissioner of Police is directed to file a report including the details of police officers who were on patrolling duty in the area.

... contd.

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