In a distressing development, the parents of a four-year-old girl who was sexually assaulted in Gurgaon have approached the Supreme Court of India, urgently seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the incident. The petition, filed on Friday, accuses the Gurgaon police of severe inaction, failing to arrest the accused—a man and his housemaid—despite the child identifying them before a magistrate under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.
Narration of Harrowing Incident and Police Lethargy
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the parents, presented the case in a dramatic manner before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) S. A. Kant. He detailed the harrowing assault that occurred approximately a month ago, where the young girl was sexually assaulted with the assistance of a housemaid by the perpetrator in a housing society in Gurgaon.
Rohatgi emphasized the critical failures in the investigation: "The child was taken to a hospital and later produced before a magistrate for recording her statement under the Pocso Act. She recounted her ordeal, pointed out the exact location of the assault within the housing society, and named the perpetrators clearly."
Investigation Stalled for Three Weeks
Despite this, the investigating officer assigned to the case—who had previously been suspended on corruption charges in another matter—has shown alarming lethargy. Rohatgi highlighted that the crime scene remains unsecured, crucial CCTV footage has not been seized, and no arrests have been made in over three weeks.
"The parents are running from pillar to post, but the matter is getting delayed with no progress," Rohatgi stated. "They came to me yesterday, and I have prepared a petition under Article 32 of the Constitution, requiring immediate Supreme Court attention to send a strong message to the police for prompt action."
Supreme Court Bench's Response and Directions
When CJI Kant inquired about the nature of the direction sought, Rohatgi requested the removal of Gurgaon police from the case and its transfer to the CBI or the formation of an SIT. "For a proper investigation, this step is necessary as nothing has happened for the last three weeks. Such shocking incidents are occurring in Gurgaon," he argued.
The bench, which included Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, noted that the Punjab and Haryana High Court is typically very proactive in such cases and might have taken immediate cognizance if approached. However, Rohatgi explained that the parents had not gone to the High Court to avoid the logistical challenge of traveling from Gurgaon to Chandigarh.
"I have come directly to the Supreme Court as a message must emanate from the highest court," Rohatgi asserted. "The SC should issue notice and demand a police response on why the CCTV footage was not secured and why the accused remain at large. This incident cries for the Supreme Court's urgent attention."
Petition Listed for Hearing
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the Supreme Court bench agreed to list the petition for hearing on Monday, underscoring the need for swift judicial intervention to ensure justice for the young victim and her family.
