The former judge took exception to the fact that Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur seemed to be apprised of the probe, after he had assured the protesting wrestlers that the investigation would be over by June 15.
“How did he [Thakur] come to know? Only person who can answer that or make that statement is the IO and no one else, at best he can tell his superior or the Commissioner of Police, nobody else can do that. So, therefore, there is something going on behind the scenes. This is serious because the Supreme Court has said in any number of judgments that nobody can interfere in probes, not even the Supreme Court. What business does anybody else have? This needs investigation, [as to] what has been going on behind the scenes. Of course, no one will [probe this], but it is disconcerting.”
He wondered why the minor-complainant needed to be interrogated for 5 hours and made to recreate the incident at the alleged scene of the crime.
“She has given a statement, that is in writing and forms the FIR. What kind of probe do you want? This is an aspect of victimisation, that she is asked to prove what she has said. The Supreme Court and all courts have come down heavily on this, when women are called to witness boxes to answer all kinds of questions. it is nothing short of revictimisation. The scene of crime is the person, her bodily integrity has been violated.”
Pertinently, Justice Lokur stated that the Delhi Police’s probe seemed to be directed at showing the accused as innocent and that all the allegations were false.
“So we are now looking at strange situation, where it appears that what is going to happen is a foregone conclusion. Can imagine the extent of harassment, all these things have to be put together, not in isolation,” he said.
The wrestlers have been on a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi seeking action against Singh.
Source: Barandbench
