CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has reserved its orders in a suo motu case in connection with the alleged assault by personnel of the Anna Nagar All Women Police Station on the parents of the minor survivor of the Anna Nagar sexual assault.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the incident, the High Court initiated proceedings after reports emerged that the girl’s parents were assaulted by police personnel when they approached the All Women Police Station to register a complaint regarding the sexual assault of their daughter.
Separately, the mother of the survivor had also filed a petition seeking compensation and action against the police officers concerned.
During an earlier hearing, the High Court had directed the authorities to file a report on the departmental action taken against the police officers for violating the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) in the case.
When the matter came up again before a Division Bench comprising Justices P Velmurugan and M Jothiraman, Additional Advocate General J Ravindran appeared on behalf of the State and submitted a report, informing the court that an officer had been appointed on January 4 to conduct a departmental inquiry against the officials concerned. He also stated that the preliminary inquiry, including the examination of the police personnel involved and the girl’s parents, had been completed.
The Additional Advocate General further assured the court that the government had no intention of protecting anyone in the matter. However, the judges expressed displeasure over the delay, noting that although the court had taken suo motu cognisance and ordered action against the erring officials in October 2024, an inquiry officer was appointed only earlier this month and reserved the matter for judgment.