The Supreme Court on Thursday sought reports from the Delhi and Uttar Pradesh governments regarding the allegations made by a girl that she was harassed for filing a complaint about an attack on her father, who had participated in a protest by the Karappanpoochi Janata Party (CJP).
In Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, a protest was held last July by the Karappanpoochi Janata Party to condemn issues including the NEET exam question paper leak. A 14-year-old girl filed a complaint with the Delhi Police, alleging that her father, a social activist who had participated in the protest, was attacked. Following this complaint, the girl alleged that she was harassed and that her home was vandalized. Meanwhile, based on the girl’s complaint, the police registered a case under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act against a man named Swatantra Bharadwaj, who is associated with a Hindutva organization.
Members of the Cockroach Janata Party staged a protest in front of the Delhi Parliament police station, demanding action against the person accused by the girl. In this situation, in an interview given to reporters, Bharadwaj said that he had broken the girl’s father’s skull, but that he had escaped arrest because of political influence. As this interview caused a major stir, the police apprehended Bharadwaj in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh.
The related case came up for hearing on Thursday before a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana. Arguing on behalf of the girl, the lawyer said, “Instead of taking action against the people who were with the accused and those seen in the video footage, a first information report has been registered against the girl who filed the complaint. This is contrary to the order already issued by the Supreme Court. The video footage taken when stones were thrown at the girl’s house can be produced before the court. The high-level committee set up in connection with the protest-related issue will take time to arrive at a decision. If anything untoward happens to the girl in the meantime, that committee will not be able to rectify it.”
Following this, the judges said, “These matters (the girl being abused) cannot be treated as trivial. No one can protect those who have committed violence against a girl. It is a serious issue for such a person to roam around freely after engaging in such an act and to try to threaten the girl and her family. There is no room for any differing opinion on this,” they said.
The judges directed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was appearing before the Supreme Court, to ensure action is taken on the first information report registered based on the complaint filed by the minor girl. The judges also directed the Delhi and Uttar Pradesh state governments to submit reports regarding this matter.
