"Explain The Delay In Investigation": Allahabad High Court To Uttar Pradesh DGP, SIT Team In 16-Yr-Old Girl's Death Case

The Allahabad High Court today has asked the Director-General of Police, Uttar Pradesh, and the members of the S.I.T team to clarify the inaction of the Police Authorities in the investigation in the case regarding the death of a 16-year-old girl from Mainpuri who was found hanged in her school in the year 2019.

The DGP was present before the Court today, pursuant to its direction issued yesterday.

A Bench of Acting Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari and Justice Anil Kumar Ojha remarked today,

"Despite the seriousness shown by the Court to the case and the manner of the investigation coupled with direction against the defaulting Police Officer, no follow-up action has been taken rather the matter is not being briefed to the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh to know the sensitivity of the case."

In view of this approach, the Court left with no option, has kept the matter tomorrow, i.e, September 16, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. as the First case to seek an explanation from the concerned authorities.

The Bench has further asked the authorities to explain as to why the disciplinary action against the then Superintendent of Police, Mainpuri could not be completed before his retirement almost six months back.

In order to provide assistance to the Court, Senior Advocate Amarendra Nath Singh has also been asked to appear for the petitioner.

The matter, as stated, relates to a 16-year-old girl from Mainpuri who was found hanged in her school. Although the police had initially claimed that it was a case of suicide, the 16-year old's mother, on the other hand, had alleged that she was harassed, beaten and assaulted, and thereafter hanged.

Pursuant to the direction of the Court on August 24, 2021, the members of SIT were present before the court yesterday along with the case diary. Noting that the SIT team could not independently investigate the matter, the Court had directed the DGP to remain present before it along with the members of the SIT team.

Cause Title: Mahendra Pratap Singh v State Of U.P. Through Secretary (Home) And 2 Others

Click here to Download the Order.