Rakib Altaf
SRINAGAR: A court in south Kashmir has upbraided the state police for showing a casual approach while investigating a rape case.
The court has been hearing a case of alleged kidnapping and rape of a woman in Pulwama district.
The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Pulwama, while ordering a fresh investigation into the case, has observed that the police showed lack of seriousness by assigning the investigation to a head constable.
The offence carries a punishment of up to seven years imprisonment and the law requires that such cases be investigated an officer not below the rank of a sub-inspector.
The investigating official (IO), according to the court, took signatures of two witnesses on blank papers and “in an unfortunate manner did not actually record their statement.”
“The IO has not only failed to adhere with the provisions of law but has also misused his position and spoiled the case in toto,” the order states.
The court has further said that police have often conducted investigation into heinous crimes in a cavalier manner.
“During my tenure a number of witnesses have stated before the court that they signed blank papers as they were directed by the police to sign the blank papers,” the CJM, Massarat Shaheen observes.
The judge has expressed deep regret that the police has not been sensitised properly to ensure that heinous cases, which involve heavy punishments, are investigated by responsible officers.
The court has directed the Deputy Inspector General of South Kashmir to conduct the investigation himself or by an officer not below the rank of an SP (superintendent of police) and to take action against the head constable.
The concerned DIG, Vijay Kumar says he has ordered a departmental inquiry against the head constable.
He added that investigation of the case has now been handed over to an officer of the rank of additional superintendent of police.
