Aishwarya Rathore –
Published on August 03, 2021, at 1:55 PM
The Madras High Court directed a Lower Court in Villupuram on Monday to complete the trial in the sexual assault complaint filed by a female IPS officer against the suspended Special DGP by December 20, 2021.
The Madras High Court took suo moto cognizance of alleged sexual harassment of an IPS cadre woman officer by her senior, a Special DGP, and decided to supervise the investigation.
When the matter was heard by Justice N. Anand Venkatesh’s Bench on Monday, he directed the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Villupuram, to proceed further and frame charges and conduct the trial in this matter on a day-to-day basis.
The Court directed, “As far as possible, the proceedings shall be conducted without granting unnecessary adjournments and it will be the duty of respondent Police, to summon the witnesses without causing undue delay. It goes without saying that the witnesses will be cross-examined on the same day they are examined in chief unless such cross-examination is not able to be conducted or concluded on the same day due to reasons beyond control.”
On March 1st, while taking suo moto cognizance of the case, the Court criticised the alleged incident and expressed displeasure at the manner in which the Special DGP allegedly used his contacts and power to prevent the victim officer from even filing a complaint against him.
Furthermore, the Court heard a petition requesting the issue of directives to the CB-CID to undertake an effective investigation in the subject while being closely watched by the High Court.
On Monday, it was reported that the State CB-CID examined 122 witnesses and acquired 72 documents during the investigation.
It was also said that the Final Report was filed before the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Villupuram on July 29, 2021, in relation to two accused of violating Sections 354, 354A(2), 341, 506(1), 506(1) r/w 109 Indian Penal Code and Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Woman Act.
Earlier, the Madras High Court had extended by six weeks, the time granted to CB-CID for completing the probe into the matter.
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Also read: Madras HC: In POCSO Case, Victim Testimony is sufficient for Conviction