HC takes grim view of cops' refusal to lodge FIR

Taking a grim view of abduction of a minor girl and alleged refusal of police to register an FIR in Chitrakoot district, the Allahabad High Court today summoned the SHO of the area and directed him to ensure the victim's presence on the next date of hearing or face strict action.
A Division Bench comprising justices Prakash Krishna and Vipin Sinha passed the order on a habeas corpus petition of the mother of the 15-year-old girl, who was kidnapped at gun-point on the intervening night of July 15-16 in Mau tehsil of the district.
The petitioner had submitted before the court that when she went to the Mau police station of Chitrakoot, she was insulted by the SHO K P Singh who also refused to register an FIR based on her complaint.

Noting that "serious allegations" had been levelled against the SHO, the court asked him to appear in person on the next date of hearing on Tuesday, July 30, when he "will ensure the presence of the girl in this court", failing which "strict action will be taken against him by this court".
The court also asked the SHO to file his personal affidavit stating whether an FIR has since been registered and to produce the case diary and the general diary.
In the event of an FIR having not been registered, he was asked to state the reason.
Besides, the court directed the Inspector General of Police of Allahabad zone, in which Chitrakoot falls, to "personally look into the matter" and file a personal affidavit describing the steps taken by him to ensure the recovery of the girl and the action taken against those suspected by the mother to have been behind the abduction.

While making it clear that the IGP need not appear in person "at this stage", the court however asked him to state in his personal affidavit whether he was "contemplating any disciplinary action" against the SHO "for the laxity that has been demonstrated on his part".