In A Sunday Night Sitting, Allahabad High Court Takes Suo Moto Cognizance Of Brutal Attack Upon On-Duty Woman Cop On Saryu Express

The Allahabad High Court has taken suo moto cognizance of the brutal attack on a woman cop (‘X’) while she was on-duty on the Saryu Express on the intervening night of 30-31 August.

Based on a WhatsApp message received by Chief Justice Pritinker Diwaker on Sunday, a bench comprising Chief Justice Pritinker Diwaker and Justice Ashutosh Srivastava was convened at the residence of the Chief Justice at 8:00 PM on Sunday, 3^rd September.

The bench was informed that the cop was found in a deplorable state, in a pool of blood, unable to move herself with a deep cut on her face and injuries. The incident was reported by certain passengers, who boarded Saryu Express from Ayodhya Junction at about 4:00 am.

Advocate Ram Kaushik, espousing the cause of prosecutrix, submitted that based on a written complaint on behalf of the brother of ‘X’, FIR under Sections 332, 353 and 307 of IPC was registered. However, looking to the serious as well as physical condition of ‘X’, Sections 376/376D IPC should have also been added in the FIR, it was argued.

Kaushik also flagged the lack of implementation of security and safety measures for women by the Indian Railways. He added that the Railway Protection force failed to discharge its duties in implementing the rules for protection of passengers. "The present incident clearly shows the utter violation of the certain provisions of the Indian Railways Act," he said.

Looking to the seriousness of the matter, the Court has issued notices to the Railway Secretary, Director General of Railway Protection Force (RPF), UP government Secretary (Home) and UP State Commission for Women.

It has directed the State to produce the case diary. It has also directed that the Investigation Officer to be present before it today, at 12:00 Noon.

Appearances: Ram Kaushik on behalf of Prosecutrix. Sri Manish Goyal, Additional Advocate General, assisted by Sri A.K. Sand, Government Advocate, Sri J.K. Upadhyay, AGA-I and Sri Amit Sinha, AGA-I on behalf of the State.

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