CPI(M) slams TN police, demands action in rape case

CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat today pointed out the "non observance" of protocol in sexual assault cases and called for stricter action against police and medical officials for violating provisions of POCSO.
"There is no standard operating procedure or protocol being observed by the Tamil Nadu police in sexual assault cases even those involving minor girls," she said in her letter to the Tamil Nadu DGP Ashok Kumar today.
She was referring to a case of alleged rape of a 16-year-old hearing and speech impaired girl in December last year in Krishnagiri District in the state and attempts of cover-up.
She met the DGP last month and sought justice for the victim.

Alleging that justice was being sabotaged, she said a second medical examination had vindicated the brutal sexual assault of the girl.
"Instead of acting against those responsible for the concocted first medical report, police have submitted objectionable queries to doctors who did the second medical test," she said.

"No police officer can dare raise such queries without the sanction of senior officers. It is the SP of the district who must be held responsible. This is the responsibility of top officials including you."
She urged him to take immediate action against the police including the SP and medical officials involved.

Listing out alleged lapses including the 'two-finger test' barred by the Supreme Court, she said, "thus at every stage the provisions of the POCSO have been violated by the police."
"I shall also be taking up the lack of protocols and SOPs and the use of the demeaning illegal two finger test with the Union Home Ministry."
A copy of the letter was released to the press.