The Supreme Court of India on Friday intervened in the brutal rape and murder case of a four-year-old girl in Ghaziabad, expressing “deep shock” at the “complete indifference” shown by both the state police and private medical institutions. A three-judge bench, led by the Chief Justice of India, has summoned the Ghaziabad Police Commissioner and the Investigating Officer (IO) to appear before the court on April 13 with the complete case records.
The harrowing incident occurred on March 16, when the four-year-old victim was allegedly lured away from her home by a neighbor under the pretext of buying chocolates. When the child failed to return, her father—a daily wage laborer—began a search that led him to find his daughter lying unconscious and covered in blood.
The victim was rushed for medical attention but was reportedly turned away by two private hospitals. She eventually succumbed to her injuries at a government hospital in Ghaziabad.
During the proceedings, senior advocate N. Hariharan appeared on behalf of the victim’s father. He detailed the sequence of events and highlighted the procedural lapses by the investigating authorities. The submissions pointed toward a lack of urgency and sensitivity in the initial stages of the investigation and the subsequent medical crisis where life-saving treatment was denied.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi expressed strong displeasure over the state police’s handling of the investigation.
The CJI specifically lambasted the authorities and the medical facilities involved, stating that the “complete indifference” and “insensitive approach” were unacceptable. The court took a grim view of the fact that two private hospitals allegedly refused to treat the toddler before she passed away.
“We are shocked by the manner in which the state police have conducted the investigation so far,” the bench remarked, emphasizing the need for accountability in cases of such extreme gravity.
Observing that the investigation required immediate judicial oversight, the Supreme Court directed the Police Commissioner of Ghaziabad and the Investigating Officer to be present in court on April 13. They have been ordered to produce all relevant case files and records to explain the progress of the probe and the circumstances surrounding the alleged denial of medical care.
