The Supreme Court today expressed serious concern over the manner in which the investigation was conducted and ordered a fresh probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in rape and death of a four-year-old child in Ghaziabad.

The matter arose from allegations that the child was denied timely medical treatment by two private hospitals and later succumbed to injuries. The victim’s family also alleged that they were being pressured and that the investigation was not being carried out fairly, including claims that the police attempted to coerce the father into adhering to his earlier statement despite the filing of the charge sheet and commencement of trial.

Taking note of the submissions of Senior Advocate N. Hariharan alleging coercive conduct by the police and lapses in the investigation, the Court said it would not express any opinion on the merits at this stage. The Court, however, directed that the SIT examine the grievances raised, including issues relating to witness handling and the role of the hospitals.

Accordingly, the Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi directed the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh, to constitute an SIT comprising senior officers, including a woman officer, to conduct further investigation. The SIT has been directed to examine all aspects of the case, including the role of the private hospitals and the protection of key witnesses.

The Court further ordered that the trial proceedings shall remain in abeyance until the SIT files its supplementary report. The SIT has been asked to commence investigation immediately and make an endeavour to conclude the probe expeditiously, preferably within two weeks.