Even as the Kerala High Court on Monday dismissed an anticipatory bail petition filed by an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of Thalayoalapparambu in Kottayam district who is an accused in a child sexual abuse case, the father of the minor girl moved the court with a plea to entrust the investigation to a senior officer in the rank of Superintendent of Police.
In his writ petition, the girl’s father pointed out that though the case was registered on April 30, 2018 under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) 2012, the police were yet to arrest the accused officer, Nassar V. H. He said the incident took place at an educational institution in Kochi where his daughter, aged 17, was studying.
When she got into the elevator of the building, the accused police officer deliberately rushed in and caught hold of her, outraging her modesty. When the girl screamed for help, the police officer fled the scene, warning her against disclosing the incident to anyone.
To settle issue
The petitioner alleged that the Circle Inspector of Police (CI), Central station, had been threatening the petitioner to settle the matter with the accused ASI.
In fact, the Circle Inspector, the investigation officer, was not conducting a proper investigation in the case and was facilitating the accused to escape the law, he said.
He alleged that the CI was delaying the arrest of the accused officer to enable him to get bail. Therefore, the investigation should be entrusted with a police officer in the rank of Superintendent of Police.
In fact, he had already approached the State Police Chief complaining about the improper investigation conducted by the investigation officer and sought to entrust the investigation with an upright police officer not below the rank of Superintendent of Police.
In his bail petition, the accused police officer said he was innocent and had not committed any offence as alleged.
He had gone to the educational institution to meet his son who was studying in the institution.
Remanded
The accused, who had gone into hiding over two weeks ago, surrendered before the investigating officer on Monday.
He surrendered before the Circle Inspector, A. Anantalal. He was arrested and produced before a court which remanded him in judicial custody.
