Statements of women with burn injuries to be lodged as FIR

In a significant judgement, the Allahabad High Court has ruled that the statement of woman, who may have suffered serious burn injuries in a violent attack, shall be registered as an FIR at the nearest police station within 24 hours to prevent undue delay in probe.
The order was passed by a Division Bench comprising the then Chief Justice Shiva Kirti Singh and Justice Vikram Nath on September 16 while disposing off a petition in which the court had taken suo motu notice of "inaction of police in lodging FIRs in offences against women".
Justice Singh was sworn in as a judge of the Supreme Court yesterday.

In the order, the court had ruled that once the victim's statement is recorded by a Magistrate or a doctor, "the officials of the nearest police station shall not cause any delay in lodging of the FIR and on that basis they shall inform the officials of the concerned police station where the crime took place".
The court issued direction "to all concerned" to follow a circular issued by the DGP of UP dated May 22, "which contains directions to ensure that investigation is carried out properly by recording the statement of doctor and magistrate who are present at the time of recording of the statement of the victim".

The court also said that if "directions are violated by any particular delinquent police official, then such an action will amount to contempt of this court".