Expedite probe in Pocso cases, Baijal tells cops
L-G was chairing a law and order meeting of Delhi police, which was attended by chief secretary Anshu Prakash and other senior officials.
New Delhi: Lieutenant-governor Anil Baijal on Thursday directed the Delhi police to separate investigation of the cases completely from maintaining law and order in the national capital. He also directed expeditious investigation in Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act cases and for periodical analysis of the conviction rates.
The Delhi police made a detailed presentation in connection to implementing separation of investigation from law and order in letter and spirit. “It was informed that steps have been taken as per the directions of Hon’ble Supreme Court in WP (Civil) No. 310/1996, Prakash Singh & Ors Vs. UoI, reg. separation of investigation from law & order in letter and spirit,” a statement from Raj Niwas said.
The lieutenant-governor stressed upon the need to sensitise the investigating officers especially while dealing with the cases related to crime against women and Pocso offences.
“He noted that sensitive handling can help the victims deal with the trauma and assist the investigation so that it reaches its logical conclusion swiftly,” the statement added.
The L-G was chairing a law and order meeting of Delhi police, which was attended by chief secretary Anshu Prakash and other senior officials. “The L-G reviewed the steps taken to evolve separate pools of specialists for investigation and for general law and order,” the statement added.
The Delhi police also informed the L-G that in case an investigation in crime against a woman is not completed in 20 days, an alert is generated for joint CPs or range and special CPs or law and order.
“As of now, investigation of rape cases, Pocso cases and other cases of crime against women are assigned to women investigation officers, preferably of sub-inspector level,” the statement added.
. A task force under Spl.CP/Crime has also been constituted to monitor cases against SC/STs and under POCSO Act,” the statement added.
“The LG directed to take steps to address the urgent need for augmenting facilities at Forensic Labs and the Prosecution Branch, in commensurate with their workload. The LG also advised to have an in-house legal cell at the level of joint CPs (Range) for effective assessment and monitoring of the cases and to plug loopholes in investigation,” it added.