HC directs ACP to undergo sensitisation programme on crimes against women

Investigating officer developed cold feet and could not muster courage to arrest high-profile politician accused of rape: court

The Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court recently directed the Assistant Police Commissioner of Aurangabad city to undergo a sensitisation programme on crimes against women after he developed “cold feet and could not muster the courage to arrest a high-profile politician accused of rape”. On April 7, a Division Bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and B.U. Debadwar was hearing a plea seeking a direction to arrest an accused against whom an FIR was filed under Section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code. The court was informed that the investigating officer (IO) in the case was Ashlesha Patil, police sub-inspector, who officiated till December 30, 2020. Later, Nishikant Bhujbal, Assistant Police Commissioner, CIDCO Region, Aurangabad city, took over the investigation and filed a B summary report’(filed when the police find the case to be maliciously false) before a magistrate. Senior advocate Rajendra Deshmukh, appearing for the petitioner, said the victim was issued death threats, resulting in a delay in filing the FIR. Mr. Deshmukh argued that the accused was an active and high-profile politician for the last 15 years and the IO did not have the courage to arrest him.