Sexual assault in family: Court seeks doctors' views on diabolical injuries of seven-year-old girl

Delhi court seeks doctors' opinion on injuries of girl retracting abuse allegations against adoptive family, citing possible "tutoring."

A Delhi court has sought doctors' opinion on the injuries of a seven-year-old girl, saying that though she had retracted allegations of sexual and physical assault of 'diabolical manner' against her adoptive family members, her possible "tutoring" cannot be ruled out.

Additional Sessions Judge Gomati Manocha passed the directions on January 27, quoting British-American poet W.H. Auden, saying as, "There is always another story. There is more than meets the eye." The Judge summoned the doctors, who performed the MLC of the girl post her complaint in February, 2023, while deciding the bail application of the alleged victim's adoptive brother, accused of sexually and physically assaulting her.

Also read: Child sexual abuse victims face hurdle at every step

The Judge said that though the girl later explained her wounds as accidents, "nature of injuries" did not align with her testimony in the court earlier.

"This court cannot lose sight of the fact that the victim is young girl of tender age of seven years [six-year-old at the time of complaint]," the Judge said.

In her complaint, the alleged victim had mentioned about her adoptive mother subjecting her to cruelty, including beatings.

The Judge also noted that the medical report mentioned several grave injuries that matched the girl's initial allegations.