HC pulls up ADGP(Prisons), orders fresh probe into gang rape

Chennai, Feb 18 (UNI) The Madras High Court today came down heavily on the Additional Director General Police (Prisons) for his lackadaiscial approach in handling the case relating to the gang rape of a convict's wife by the prison officials.

A Division Bench, comprising Mr Justice P D Dinakaran and Mr Justice R Reghupathi, dissatisfied with the Investigation report filed by ADGP Prisons A Subramanian, directed the state Home Secretary to entrust the probe to a competent police official, not below the rank of a Superintendent of Police, for the investigation to be more effective.

The police officer should investigate the case and file a report to the court within a period of one week, the Bench said.

As the Inspector of Police, Vellore Taluk Police Station had not taken note of the seriousness of the allegation and has registered a woman missing case, the Home Secretary should issue necessary directions to the DGP in this regard.

The Bench noted that the ADGP has not understood the spirit and the scope of the Court order, directing him to personally inquire into the complaint lodged by the convict and submit a detailed report.

''But the ADGP (Prisons) has just chosen to send a report based on the inquiry conducted by the Superintendent of woman Prisons, which is totally bald in nature'', it said.

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