In an unfortunate incident, the investigating officer in a case of reported molestation of a minor has been alleged of protecting the accused persons in FIRs filed at the Women Police Station, Imphal West under section POCSO Act, 2012 and 506 IPC.
The victim, a 14-year-old girl was allegedly molested while she was returning after participating the Thang-Ta (Martial Arts) Tournament from Kashmir by Rahul Singh and Yumnam Khagemba of Yumnam Huidrom Makha Leikai, Imphal West, who are the teachers/coach or guide of Thang-Ta (MartialArts).
Her family approached the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC), stating that the investigating officer of the case told them not to make any allegation against the aforementioned Yumnam Khagemba. They alleged that the victim girl was also insisted not to disclose the name of the accused Yumnam Khagemba Singh while giving her statement before the Child Welfare Committee; however, she narrated the entire story before the Committee.
MHRC after hearing the statement expressed it is unfortunate to observe that the duty of the police is to protect the citizen of the State and maintain the law and order, but in this case they are trying to save the accused persons, namely Yumnam Khagemba Singh and even abstained from arresting the accused after two FIR were registered against the accused.
"We are shocked to learn that when the parents are sending their children for learning Martial Art to the known institutions like the Huiyen Lalong, the coach or guides, to whom the responsibility was given to take the children for participating the Martial Art Tournament held in Kashmir, had molested the victim girl again and again” the MHRC stated.
MHRC further stated that the two FIR cases should be investigated by the Additional SP Imphal West, Crime against Women and Children.
It was further directed that the additional SP Imphal West, Crime Against Women and Children shall also inquire into the allegation made by the complainant against the investigating officer of the case who did not allegedly mention the name of the accused Yumnam Khagemba Singh at the first instance.
It added that preventing the informant/victim from disclosing the name of the accused person is also a violation of human rights.
MHRC asserted that the duty of the police is to protect the dignity/chastity of the citizen particularly the women victim/women informant and minor girl like the victim in this particular case. However, the police themselves are trying to save the accused persons which are totally unwarranted. It is also the duty of the citizens including police to save the girl children from the hand of the criminal/offenders. Otherwise, the slogan of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ will be pointless, it stated.
