"The very protectors/enforcers of law and order have turned into predators, making a young 38-year-old widow mother, victim of their lust, as has been more elaborately stated in the petition," the Court noted.
The Punjab & Haryana High Court on May 25 formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) made up entirely of female officers to investigate claims of police officers raping a 38-year-old widow. The Court stated that the allegations in the petition are gruesome and terrifying, and that it can only hope that they are fake as the State claims.
"The allegations and factual averments contained in the petition are so grisly and frightful, one can only hope, as is contended by the learned State counsel, that the same are fictitious. If that be not so, then it is a case which reflects the sordid state of affairs in Punjab Police, particularly in the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) at Bathinda," the Court said.
After criticising the authorities for initially forming an all-male squad, Justice Arun Monga ordered a woman officer to lead the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the case, among other things.
"It is rather intriguing, given the nature of sensitive investigation, that no lady police official has been involved, which is even otherwise the requirement of law in cases of this kind. To say the least, it is highly deplorable to see the insensitiveness with which the district police officials have acted, in constituting the SIT having all male members," the judge said.
Officials from the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) were accused of coercing a 38-year-old lady into providing sexual favours in this case. When she refused to comply with their demands, CIA officers allegedly planted drugs on her son, accusing him of violating the Narcotics, Drugs, and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The cops were also accused of picking up the woman's kid on May 6, while he was healing at home from COVID-19. The woman allegedly gave in to the CIA's sexual demands in order to have her kid released from their custody, according to the court.
"The very protectors/enforcers of law and order have turned into predators, making a young 38-year-old widow mother victim of their lust, as has been more elaborately stated in the petition," the Court observed.
The truth will only unfold once it is properly investigated, in accordance with law, the Judge said. The State has also undertaken to get information on what steps have been taken to implement the "Witness Protection Programme", in view of the woman-complainant's apprehensions that the police officials involved in the case may try to harm her or tamper with evidence.
Further, the State is also expected to appraise the Court of the progress in investigation so far as well as the departmental action taken, if any. The matter has been posted for further hearing today (May 27).