Achi news desk-
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has directed the superintendent of police (SP) and additional superintendent (Addl SP) to conduct an inquiry into a head constable pressuring the parents of a minor rape survivor to withdraw the case. The court found the conduct of head constable Holkar “suspicious,” noting that he was putting pressure on the victim’s family instead of protecting them.
Justice Madhav Jamdar said on March 18 that the behavior of the head constable was worrying, as it was obstructing the administration of justice. The court was considering a bail plea filed by a man accused of repeatedly raping a 10-year-old girl in Pune under the POCSO Act.
Although the parents expressed their desire to withdraw the case, Justice Jamdar found substance in the FIR and summoned them to court on March 13. Finding the parents under immense pressure, he decided the judge heard them privately in his chamber.
In the chamber, the parents revealed the pressure they faced from the relatives of the accused and other villagers, leading them to relocate. Additional public prosecutor SS Kaushik told the court that Holkar was not cooperating and had provided false answers.
Responding to the court’s directives, Pune SP (Rural) Pankaj Deshmukh and additional SP Ramesh Chopade ensured an inquiry against Holkar promising “necessary and appropriate action.”
The court instructed the police to ensure the safety of the parents, although they expressed concerns about their livelihood being affected by the presence of the police. Deshmukh assured the court of protecting the victim’s family members when necessary. The HC scheduled further hearings on April 2.
