Molestation case: Cop pulled up for lackadaisical attitude

A court here has pulled up a Delhi Police official for his "lackadaisical attitude" in probing a molestation case leading to acquittal of two men.
The court said the case was a "live example of gross negligence" on the part of the investigating officer (IO) in probing the matter and blamed him for the failure of the case.
"Before parting with the judgement, I am forced to make the comments upon the conduct of the IO in handling the present case. The discussion clearly shows the lackadaisical attitude of the IO in conducting investigation in this case, despite, the fact that the complainant has suffered grievous injuries.

"IO has investigated the case in most callous manner and the case has failed just because of the investigation done by him. The present case is a live example of gross negligence on the part of IO in investigating the case and the benefit has squarely gone to the accused persons. Due to such conduct of the police authorities, the confidence of common man in them is eroding fast and is contributing in creating lawlessness in the society," Metropolitan Magistrate Geetanjali said.
The court also directed that a copy of its judgement be send to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (north east Delhi district) for taking disciplinary action against the IO.

The court acquitted Delhi residents Rakesh and Vinod of the charges of molesting and grievously hurting a woman, saying the prosecution has failed to prove its case beyond doubt against them.

According to the prosecution, Rakesh and Vinod had criminally assaulted the woman, uttered some objectionable words and also injured her grievously in September 2008 in Harsh Vihar in northeast Delhi.
The court noted that the FIR was lodged in the case in November 2008 and no plausible explanation was given by the IO to justify the delay, though, the police visited the house of the complainant on the very same day.

The court noted that there were several contradictions in the statements of the victim and the IO.
During the trial, the two men had claimed that they were innocent and were falsely implicated in the case.