IMPHAL, November 14: In connection with the recent cases of rape and murder at Thoubal and Tharoijam, the Women Action for Development has claimed that there have been severe lapses in registering criminal cases against the accused by concerned police stations.
According to a statement, WAD has appealed to the State Home department to look into the cases seriously so as to give befitting punishment to the culprits without delay under the rule of law to avoid heinous crimes committed to women and minor girls in the future.
Elaborating the cases, the statement maintained that the alleged rape and murder of a young school girl, by one Thiyam Sureshkumar Singh and the registration of a criminal case against the said accused by the Officer-in-Charge of Thoubal Police Station under FIR No. 359 (11) 2014 Tbl P.S. u/s 376/302 IPC suffers from severe lapses as the officer-in-charge had failed in invoking other relevant penal provisions such as Section 376-A and 376 (f) in accordance with the amendment of the criminal procedure (Amendment) Act, 2013 which came into force from April 2, 2013.
Further it said that in the interest of the general public, the invocation of the above-noted sections is highly called for if in case the investigating agency has to proceed in the right direction of investigation.
It also pointed out that Section 376-A and 376 (f) relates to punishment for causing death after the commission of rape or the commission of rape by relative, guardian or teacher of or a person in a position of trust or authority towards the woman.
Therefore, despite having the knowledge of such criminal amendments following the gruesome case of gang rape in Delhi in a moving bus of a student woman, the concerned police official investigating the case of Thoubal have failed to invoke 376-A and 376(f) which is a disappointment, added the statement.
It said, similarly the officer-in-charge of Patsoi police Station in connection with the rape and murder of a minor girl of 8 years need also invoke Section 378-A of the Indian Penal Code despite the First information being registered under FIR No. 90(11)2014 Psi-PS u/s 376/302/34 IPC & 4 POCSO Act.