Yet to start probe into Pollachi case: CBI to MHC

The first bench comprising Chief Justice V K Tahilramani and Justice M Duraiswamy before whom the plea moved by P Pugalenthi, an advocate, came up for hearing, recorded CBI’s submission that the second GO without the name of the victim is yet to be provided to them and adjourned the case to April 25.

However, the CB-CID which had initially held the probe submitted a report in a sealed cover about the probe held by it until the transfer of the case to the CBI.

The plea had sought for a probe seeking court monitored probe expressing apprehensions that the act of the State in disclosing the name of the victim prevented other victims of sexual assault from lodging any such complaint with the police.

It may be noted that another plea moved by women advocates seeking for a direction to appoint a high-ranking woman police officer to head the investigation into the Pollachi sexual assault and extortion case is also pending before the bench, wherein notice has been ordered to the CBI.

The plea set to be taken up for hearing on April 25 also sought the court to direct the CBI to incorporate all survivor support measures and witness protection measures necessary as otherwise the truth and the full extent of the crime may not come out at all.

Moreover, in view of the strong public perception that the perpetrators have close political connections, it is just and necessary that the investigations be monitored by this court, the plea stressed along with seeking for a further direction to provide ‘One Stop Crisis Centre’ along with Standard Operative Procedures that is Victim-Centric.