<p>The Delhi Police Commissioner has been asked by a court here to explain why women officers were not being posted in the national capital's outer and north-west districts which has a high sexual crime rate.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The court's order came while framing charges in a rape case where it was apprised that the case was investigated by a male police officer due to non-availability or posting of a female officer of the rank of Assistant Sub Inspector or above in Sultanpuri area here.<br /><br />"It surprises me that in the capital of the country, the police force are facing shortage of female officers of the rank of Assistant Sub Inspector and above for handling investigations of rape cases.<br /><br />"Why is that the Delhi Police administration is seriously handicapped in posting adequate number of trained female officers in an area with a high crime rate, especially related to sexual offences against women," Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Kamini Lau said. <br /><br />The court also wondered whether there was an actual shortage of female officers and has asked the Commissioner of Police to look into the matter.<br /><br />"It has become necessary for this court to highlight this state of affairs to the Commissioner of Police for his indulgence so that the issue can be appropriately resolved at his level and a strict compliance of the directions of the various courts of law and the departmental standing orders is ensured," the judge said.<br /><br />At the stage of framing of charges in the rape case, the court was apprised by the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) of Sultanpuri area that the case had been handed over to a male officer "under compulsion" because no female officer of the rank of ASI or above has been posted in Sultanpuri police station. <br /><br />The court also noted that as per standing orders of 2002 and 2005 passed by the Police Commissioner, all rape cases should be probed by a lady officer.<br /><br />The court said male officers of various police stations falling under north-west and outer districts were entrusted with the investigation of cases relating to sexual assault or rape, which was a gross violation of the directions of various courts and the standing orders of the Commissioner.<br /><br />"It is not that this court has any doubt on the capability or competence of these male investigating officers in handling the issue. The only reason to emphasize on a female officer investigating such cases is keeping in view the fact that a victim tends to feel more secure and comfortable with a lady officer rather than a male," the judge said.</p>
<p>The Delhi Police Commissioner has been asked by a court here to explain why women officers were not being posted in the national capital's outer and north-west districts which has a high sexual crime rate.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The court's order came while framing charges in a rape case where it was apprised that the case was investigated by a male police officer due to non-availability or posting of a female officer of the rank of Assistant Sub Inspector or above in Sultanpuri area here.<br /><br />"It surprises me that in the capital of the country, the police force are facing shortage of female officers of the rank of Assistant Sub Inspector and above for handling investigations of rape cases.<br /><br />"Why is that the Delhi Police administration is seriously handicapped in posting adequate number of trained female officers in an area with a high crime rate, especially related to sexual offences against women," Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Kamini Lau said. <br /><br />The court also wondered whether there was an actual shortage of female officers and has asked the Commissioner of Police to look into the matter.<br /><br />"It has become necessary for this court to highlight this state of affairs to the Commissioner of Police for his indulgence so that the issue can be appropriately resolved at his level and a strict compliance of the directions of the various courts of law and the departmental standing orders is ensured," the judge said.<br /><br />At the stage of framing of charges in the rape case, the court was apprised by the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) of Sultanpuri area that the case had been handed over to a male officer "under compulsion" because no female officer of the rank of ASI or above has been posted in Sultanpuri police station. <br /><br />The court also noted that as per standing orders of 2002 and 2005 passed by the Police Commissioner, all rape cases should be probed by a lady officer.<br /><br />The court said male officers of various police stations falling under north-west and outer districts were entrusted with the investigation of cases relating to sexual assault or rape, which was a gross violation of the directions of various courts and the standing orders of the Commissioner.<br /><br />"It is not that this court has any doubt on the capability or competence of these male investigating officers in handling the issue. The only reason to emphasize on a female officer investigating such cases is keeping in view the fact that a victim tends to feel more secure and comfortable with a lady officer rather than a male," the judge said.</p>