The Uttarakhand High Court has directed the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Nainital, to personally monitor the ongoing investigation into the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl, a case that has sparked communal unrest in the town.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice G Narendar and Justice Alok Mehra instructed SSP Prahlad Narayan Meena to review the investigation on a bi-weekly basis and submit progress reports to the court every quarter. The court stressed the need for heightened oversight given the sensitivity of the case, which involves a septuagenarian man from a minority community as the accused.
The directions were issued while hearing a petition challenging a demolition notice issued against the residence of the accused — a notice that has already been stayed by the court. During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel, Advocate Shiv Bhatt, raised concerns that provisions under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act might be overlooked and requested a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
In response, SSP Meena assured the court that he is directly supervising the investigation. He informed the bench that the case has been handed over to a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)-rank officer and that charges relevant to the Scheduled Caste status of the minor victim have been applied.
The alleged incident triggered communal tension in the area, with right-wing groups vandalising shops owned by members of the minority community. In a previous hearing, the court had voiced displeasure over the issuance of demolition notices to the accused and 62 others, warning that such actions could further inflame public sentiment. The municipal body later agreed to withdraw the notices.
The matter is scheduled to be heard next on August 5.
