Allahabad High Court Holds Special Sunday Hearing Following Attack on Woman Police Officer
In an unprecedented move, the Allahabad High Court convened a special hearing on Sunday, taking suo motu cognizance of a brutal attack on a female police officer. The decision to hold this hearing was based on a WhatsApp message received by Chief Justice Pritinker Diwaker, detailing the incident. The session was conducted at Chief Justice Diwaker’s residence at 8:00 PM.
Given the gravity of the situation, the Court directed the registration of the letter as a public interest litigation (criminal). Notices were subsequently issued to several key entities, including the Union Ministry of Railways, the Director General of the Railway Protection Force (RPF), the State of Uttar Pradesh, and the State Commission for Women, Uttar Pradesh. The order explicitly stated,
“At the time of hearing, learned State counsel shall also place the case diary before the Court. The Investigating Officer is also required to remain present before the Court.”
Media reports, as cited during the hearing, painted a grim picture of the incident. The female officer was discovered in a pool of blood, incapacitated, with a deep facial cut and multiple injuries. Following a written complaint from the victim’s brother, an FIR was registered under Sections 332 (Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 353 (Assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty), and 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
However, the counsel, Kaushik, argued that given the severity of the officer’s condition and the nature of the assault, Sections 376/376D (rape) of the IPC should also have been included in the FIR. He further contended that the railway authorities have been markedly negligent in implementing measures to ensure the safety of women.
The Allahabad High Court is set to continue the hearing on this matter at 12:00 noon on Monday. This case underscores the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and the importance of swift judicial action in matters of such grave concern.
