Inspector General of Police Praveer Ranjan has said the Police Department would not hesitate to take criminal action against police personnel if the children who faced sexual assault will identify any of them during identification parade to be held shortly.
Mr. Ranjan told The Hindu , “The Madras High Court has directed us to conduct an identification parade of police personnel before the victims. As per direction, we will conduct such parade and will file compliance report by December 19. If any of the police personnel will be identified by the victims, we will take criminal action, including arrest.”
While hearing a bail petition filed by one of accused in the sexual assault on children case, the Madras High Court had recently directed the police to conduct an identification parade. Public Prosecutor for Puducherry government brought to the notice of Justice P.N. Prakash, the steps taken by police, when the matter came up for hearing recently.
The Public Prosecutor submitted that investigation was conducted and final report was filed on August 25 against eight persons.
Even after filing of the final report, A. Tamil Selvan was arrested.
Justice Mr. Prakash observed: “It is seen that about 12 police officers were in touch with Arul Mary, prime accused in the case. When Arul Mari was interrogated, she seems to have told the Investigating officer that she was having some civil disputes with her relatives and for that she had sought the help of those personnel to solve her problem. It appears to be story woven by her to protect the delinquent police personnel. The Puducherry government has placed eight of the police officers under suspension.”
The Judge said, “In this case, the victims can be made to identify the police officers through videoconferencing by making each of the suspected police officer to stand before the camera with their uniform and also make them to remove the upper portion of their uniform. The victims can identify them in the screen in the presence of a woman magistrate. In my considered opinion, if the situation warrants, the suspected police officers can be individually shown to the victims through an aperture in an opaque screen to enable them to identify in the presence of a woman magistrate and protection officers and if the child is able to identify and point out her abuser, that would be sufficient under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.”
The Superintendent of Police who is the investigating officer accepted the suggestion mooted by the judge.
The court then directed the Superintendent of Police to ensure all protection to the children and that they are made comfortable so that they can identify the policemen.
The matter was adjourned to December 19 for reporting the steps taken by the police.
