Month after rape, speech-impaired girl's statement recorded

More than a month after she was allegedly raped by a neighbour in North-West Delhi, the statement of a 10 year-old speech-impaired girl was recorded before a metropolitan magistrate here today with the help of an interpreter.
The interpreter was provided by the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) after the victim's mother approached it seeking help.
"An FIR in the case was registered a month ago. The child was raped by a 58-year-old neighbour but the statement could not be recorded because of the child's inability to speak properly.
"Despite being instructed by the Magistrate for arranging an interpretor, the police could not find one. The child's mother then sought help from DCW which provided an interpreter following which the victim's statement was recorded before the Metropolitan Magistrate under Section 164 of the CrPC," a DCW official said.

The incident happened at Haiderpur in North-West Delhi and an FIR was registered on August 6 at Shalimar Bagh police station.
"The victim was sexually assaulted by her neighbour. The accused was promptly arrested. But the statement could not be recorded because of the child's inability to speak properly.
"Meanwhile, the mother's statement in the case was recorded. But recording the statement of the child was important as she was the victim and her version strengthened the case," said the police officer investigating the case.