The Allahabad High Court on Friday ordered a CBI enquiry into the sensational gangrape of a mother and her minor daughter on National Highway 91 in Bulandshahr district, observing that it was “not satisfied” with the police investigation so far.
The HC, which had taken suo motu cognisance of the July 29 incident, also said it intended to “monitor the investigation in the case”.
The HC passed this order while hearing a Public Interest litigation (PIl) in the case.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice DB Bhosale and Justice Yashwant Varma passed the order a day after the Uttar Pradesh Government submitted a status report on the investigation into the incident in a sealed cover to the court.
“We are not satisfied, neither with the way the investigation appears to be taking place nor with the material that has been placed on record,” the HC said and directed the UP Government to produce the FIR lodged in connection with the crime, the medical reports of the rape victims and statements of witnesses by the next date of hearing on August 17.
The court also expressed dissatisfaction with details of the backgrounds, criminal records and political affiliations which had been provided in the status report as per its earlier order, dated August 8.
The court said even a single day’s delay in sending this case to the CBI for investigation will be harmful for the victims.
The Bench will continue to hear the other cases of rape that occurred on highways recently on August 17.
The Bench had asked the UP Government on Wednesday through the Advocate General to make available detailed reports regarding rapes and robberies on National Highways, especially in and around Bulandshahr.
The Additional Advocate General also filed an affidavit in respect of the action taken in other cases of robbery and rape which occurred a few days before this gangrape.
During an earlier hearing, beside seeking a status report, the court had also sought to know from the UP Government whether it was “willing to hand over the investigation of the case to the CBI” and “what steps the State would like to take to avoid such incidents in future”.