Bulandshahr rape: NCW exposes UP Police's apathy, says POCSO Act missing from FIR

Jaipur (Rajasthan), Aug. 1 (ANI): In a major revelation, the National Commission for Women (NCW) on Monday exposed the Uttar Pradesh Police in connection with the brutal gang-rape of a woman and her daughter in Bulandshahr district, saying that the crucial (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) POCSO Act was missing from the FIR, which was a clear flouting of the law Speaking to ANI, NCW chief Lalitha Kumaramangalam said the police's attitude towards the incident showed its apathy "The whole case is dependent on the FIR. When a minor girl has been gang-raped, there should have been POCSO. From NCW, we are clear that this is police apathy and callousness. They are trying to cover up the matter. There is a huge difference between what they are saying in front of the media and what they are actually doing," she said. She further revealed that 15 persons were neither arrested nor detained, adding that only eight persons were detained and the family has identified three. Kumaramangalam stated when the enquiry team of the NCW was going to Noida to the victim's place, the police took the family to Bulandshahr and their phones were forcefully switched off. "When our team reached Bulandshahr, they were not allowed to meet for an hour. When our team said that you cannot stop us from meeting them, at least not legally, they were allowed to meet. The team got to know that the girl has high fever and she did not eat anything since morning and she was not given any medicine," she added. She said when DGP Javeed Ahmed came, instead of meeting the victims, he was given Guard of Honour first. "After that, he (DGP) went to see the site and at last he came and met the victims and gave them two cheques each of Rs. 50,000 and told them that the Chief Minister is very much worried in this case and assured of justice," she added. Kumaramangalam said Investigating Officer Bhanwar Pal came and asked whether the victims are sitting in the police station. "May be due to elections next year, he (Bhanwar Pal) is trying to cover up the issue. The victim's family asked us whether we will do their counselling.we said yes. We will send our team with a doctor and a trained clinical counsellor," she added. She further said that she would probably go to Uttar Pradesh next week, where she would discuss with the police and administration about making a plan to decrease the carelessness from the police's side. At least three people were arrested earlier today in connection with the case. "Rakesh, Savesh and Jawar Singh have been arrested in Bulandshahr gang rape and loot case," Meerut DIG Lakshmi Singh told ANI. In wake of the incident, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav yesterday directed the station heads related to the incident to be suspended. As per sources, Bulandshahr's SSP, CO and Inspector have been suspended. Three accused were identified yesterday by the victims in connection with the case. DGP Javeed Ahmed said there were three women at the spot, adding one among them was an elderly woman. The incident took place on Friday night when a 35-year-old woman and her 14-year-old daughter were allegedly gang-raped by a group of robbers in Bulandshahr district. The victims were on their way from Noida to Shahjahanpur with the other family members when their vehicle was stopped near a cycle repairing shop in Dostpur village on NH-9, which connects Noida and Bulandshahr. (ANI)