Will follow SC norms for probe in rape cases, govt tells HC

 The High Court on Monday disposed of a petition seeking that investigation in rape cases be speeded up. This came after the State government made a submission that it had issued necessary directions in this connection as per the Supreme Court directions of 2014.

Hearing a PIL petition by City-based advocate and party-in-person G R Mohan, the division bench comprising Chief Justice D H Waghela and Justice Ram Mohan Reddy directed the government to take every possible step to speed up investigation in rape cases.

The petitioner contended that investigation had been delayed and working women were regularly under threat. Mentioning that the investigations in most of these cases were progressing at a snail’s pace, the petitioner sought directions to initiate action against the investigating officers who show slackness. Seeking protection to women working late hours, he suggested that night patrolling by police should be intensified to ensure the safety of women.

The government counsel cited an apex court order dated October 25 2014, with certain guidelines for investigation in rape cases, including protection to victims and ensuring that they were produced before a woman metropolitan or judicial magistrate.

The government counsel said that the guidelines emphasised on ensuring that there was neither a delay in recording statement nor in conducting inquiry. He said that a circular had been issued to the police top brass in this connection.

The bench disposed of the matter, observing that the petitioner does not press for any directions.

Missing children

The High Court has orally directed the High Court Legal Services (HCLS) to discuss with respondents and come out with Standard Operation Proceedings (SOP) regarding cases of missing children.

The HCLS had moved the court, seeking directions to improve investigation, trial, conditions of homes for missing children and for the special courts to handle effectively the cases of missing children.

Vidyulatha, the counsel for the petitioners, submitted that Karnataka was ranked fourth in terms of missing children and sought improvement in all the lagging areas. She said that though the government had established special courts to handle these cases, they were being entrusted with some other cases too and the very purpose of establishing them had been defeated.