A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said that the State Police is incapable of investigating the crimes happening across the State including sexual offences against and women, and there is a total breakdown of law and order machinery.
“State police is incapable of investigation. Absolutely.. There is no law and order left at all,” CJI Chandrachud remarked.
The Court made the observation after taking note of the fact that there have been very few arrests made despite registration of over 6,000 first information reports (FIRs).
“The investigation is so lethargic. No arrests made. Statements being recorded after such lapse of time. this gives an impression that there was no law and breakdown of constitutional machinery. May be it is correct that arrest could not be made because police could not enter the locality.. but even then there was complete breakdown of law and order,” the CJI further said.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the government, said that the situation in the ground has to be considered.
“In 6,000 FIRs you have made 7 arrests?” the Court asked.
“7 arrests is only in the 11 FIRs.. There is no lethargy. What is being said here will have repercussions,” the SG replied.
He also assured the Court that the situation was returning to mormalcy.
“Situation is now coming back to normal and that is why we ordered CBI probe and said that let this court monitor it,” he submitted.
“People who are living in the state, if law and order machinery cannot protect them then what happens to the people,” the CJI asked.
“I am resisting myself from saying something. Why coordinated effort on one side and people on the ground knows why it happened,” the SG said.
Source: Barandbench
