The Supreme Court on Friday took serious note of the alleged rape and murder of a four-year-old child in Ghaziabad, observing that the incident revealed a “complete indifference and insensitive approach” on the part of both private hospitals and the local police.

Senior Advocate N. Hariharan, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that despite the severity of injuries involving the insertion of a blunt object, the FIR was registered only a day later, and the case was initially treated merely as a murder. He further alleged that two private hospitals refused admission to the child, and video evidence showed the child was alive when first taken for treatment. “My conscience was revolted the moment I saw it,” he told the Court.

The Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi noted the sequence of events and trauma caused to the family.

“The victim child was lying unconscious, covered in blood. The doctor in the private hospital refused to take her in. She was taken to another private hospital, where the child was denied admission. Finally the child was taken ghaziabad district hospital where she was declared dead…Trauma was further compounded when the matter was reported to local police. Instead of taking cognizance the petitioner and the family members were physically assaulted. They were asked to remain silent about the incident. FIR was then lodged on next day that is on March 17.

Directing accountability, the Court ordered the Commissioner of Police, Ghaziabad and the Station House Officer of Police Station Nandgram to remain present along with the original records on Monday. It also directed service upon the concerned private hospitals and emphasised that “the identity of the victim’s child is not disclosed,” extending similar protection to the family.