Delhi child rape: SC tells top cop to submit affidavit

The Supreme Court on Monday asked Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar to file an affidavit in response to an NGO’s (Bachpan Bachao Andolan) contempt petition alleging that there was a delay in filing an FIR in the case of rape of a five-year-old in east Delhi. The court wanted the affidavit to give details on the sequence of events and the relevant date when the FIR was filed. [caption id=“attachment_739919” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Supreme Court of India. Reuters[/caption] Indian Express reported that granting an opportunity to the Police Commissioner to put forth his defence in the matter, a bench led by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir gave him a week to file the affidavit. The police claimed that the family of the victim had approached them on 15 April at around 6 pm and an FIR was filed at 8.30 pm. Hindustan Times quoted the bench as saying, “We are not issuing any rule or notice, but are only asking the Delhi Police to file a short affidavit. Since the ASG is present, he is directed to file an affidavit relating to the matter.” The court expressed dissatisfaction to the allegatthat a constable had offered Rs 2,000 to the family of the missing girl to keep quiet on the matter. The constable was suspended. Indian Express quoted the bench as saying, “He must have been acting on some instruction. Do you think he was acting on his own? Why should a constable go himself and offer money? Somebody must have been responsible.” Bachpan Bachao Andolan sought action against the errant cops for defying the apex court’s 18 January order, directing the police to immediately take action on receiving complaint of a missing child, reported Hindustan Times. The court has now posted the matter for further hearing on 6 May.