File case under POSCO, not RPC: Child panel asks police

Taking cognisance of the alleged rape of a minor girl in Bandipora, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) has asked the police to register a case under POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offence), not RPC (Ranbir Penal Code), against the accused.

In a letter, the CWC Bandipora told the Station HouseOfficer of Sumbal police station that this case “falls under the POSCO”. TheCWC also asked the police to furnish the medical examination report of theminor to the committee at the earliest.

   

The alleged rape has triggered protests in the Valley andmany have demanded stringent punishment for the accused who has been detained.

The police, however, have constituted a SpecialInvestigation Team to investigate the case.

“We have written this letter to the police on the couple ofdays ago but as of yet we haven’t got any response from them. As per the law,the police have to share the details of the medical report with the ChildWelfare Committee,” said a member of the CWC.

A child rights expert, associated with the Juvenile JusticeAct, said, “The whole controversy about this case is the age of the accused.Why aren’t police solving the puzzle and getting the age determination test ofthe accused done. It is not a lengthy process.” As reported by this newspaper,on the evening of 8 May, a minor girl was allegedly raped by her neighbour, whohad lured her to a nearby school. The accused is a school dropout.

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