HC directs police to file status report in two days

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday took suo motu cognisance of the gang-rape of a 23-year-old woman and asked the Delhi Police Commissioner to file a detailed status report on the progress of the investigation in two days.

A bench of Chief Justice D Murugesan and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw also wondered how the bus, in which a physiotherapist was raped, still had tinted glasses in violation of the apex court’s directive. The court also wanted the victim to be shifted from Safdarjung Hospital to a super-speciality facility.

“The probe must be of high standards and the chargesheet must be filed after the perusal of this court,” the bench said, adding that it will issue necessary directions from time to time. The bench also indicated that it will issue guidelines after taking note of the contentions of all parties concerned.

“This incident is of great concern for all citizens of the capital city as it relates to the safety of women and girl children in Delhi,” the bench said.

“There are two important questions. The first is the investigation in the case and the second is the preventive measure. We want to know what preventive measures have been taken by police to prevent such incidents,” the bench added.

A different high court bench had told a group of women lawyers on Tuesday that it was disturbed over the incident and watching the developments.

“It was a brazen attempt by some persons who think that they can play with the law. We are very disturbed,” the bench said after the lawyers pleaded to take up the issue and monitor the investigation.

Issuing directions on Wednesday, the bench told the police commissioner to inform about steps taken to remove tinted glasses from vehicles and deploy adequate personnel at all entry points to the national capital to prevent vehicles with tinted glasses from sneaking in. Concerned over the status of the victim, the bench said: “We direct the Delhi government to shift, if possible, the victim to a super speciality hospital. If it is not possible, then experts be asked to visit her.” The court also instructed the Director Centre Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) to give priority to this case.

During the hearing, the court said it had accepted a request forwarded by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit to set up fast track courts for speedy trial in rape cases. “Nobody is safe. It’s repeatedly seen in Delhi. It is not one odd incident. Earlier, the chief minister had sought approval for setting up fast track courts. We immediately approved that. Only this much can be done by the judiciary,” the bench said.

Advocate Najmi Waziri, appearing for the Delhi government, submitted that a special investigation team headed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Chhaya Sharma has been constituted for expeditious investigation in the case.