The Supreme Court of India on Monday ordered the constitution of an all-women Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the rape and murder of a minor girl in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. The bench, comprising Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and B.R. Gavai, issued the directive while hearing a plea filed by the victim's father seeking justice for his daughter.
Details of the Case
The minor girl was allegedly raped and murdered in Ghaziabad's Loni area on September 26. The victim's father had approached the apex court alleging a flawed investigation by the local police and demanding a fair probe. The court expressed concern over the handling of the case and emphasized the need for a sensitive investigation, especially given the nature of the crime.
Supreme Court's Direction
The Supreme Court directed that the SIT will be headed by a senior woman IPS officer and will include two other women officers. The team will be supervised by a retired high court judge to ensure transparency and impartiality. The court also ordered that the probe be completed within three months and a status report be submitted every fortnight.
The bench stated, "The investigation into such heinous crimes against women and children requires utmost sensitivity and professionalism. An all-women SIT will ensure that the victim's family gets justice and the perpetrators are brought to book."
Reactions from the Victim's Family
The victim's father expressed satisfaction with the court's order, saying, "We have faith in the judiciary. We hope that the SIT will conduct a fair investigation and the culprits will be punished." The family had earlier alleged that the local police were trying to shield the accused and had botched the initial investigation.
Broader Context
The case has once again highlighted the issue of crimes against women and children in Uttar Pradesh. According to National Crime Records Bureau data, the state reported the highest number of rape cases in the country in 2020. The Supreme Court's intervention in this case is seen as a step towards ensuring accountability in the investigation of such crimes.
The court also directed the Uttar Pradesh government to provide adequate security to the victim's family and ensure that no threats are made to them. The state government has been asked to cooperate fully with the SIT.
