Court Slams Police Delay in Chandrashekhar Azad Rape Probe
A Delhi court has issued a notice to the DCP over delays in investigating a rape complaint against MP Chandrashekhar Azad.
In a significant development involving Nagina Member of Parliament Chandrashekhar Azad, a Delhi court has taken a stern view of the investigation's pace. The Rouse Avenue Court issued a formal notice to the concerned Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) after the Delhi Police requested an extension of time to conclude an inquiry into a rape complaint filed against the lawmaker.
The Allegations and Legal Battle
The case stems from a complaint lodged by a woman at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. The complainant has accused Chandrashekhar Azad of raping her under the false pretext of marriage, while also leveling charges of cheating.
The legal proceedings gained momentum when the complainant, alleging that the Delhi Police failed to register a First Information Report (FIR) following her initial complaint, approached the court seeking judicial intervention. She requested the court to direct the police to register an FIR under the relevant sections of the law against the MP.
Court Rejects Police Plea for More Time
During the recent proceedings, the Delhi Police submitted a status report outlining the progress of their preliminary probe. However, the police counsel requested an additional two to three months to finalize the investigation. This request was met with strong opposition from the complainant's legal team.
Advocate Ashish Dass, representing the complainant, argued that delays in such sensitive matters are unacceptable. He pointed to judicial precedents, emphasizing that for offences carrying a penalty of more than seven years in prison, swift action is mandatory. He specifically noted that the offence of rape carries a minimum sentence of 10 years, necessitating urgency.
Direct Instructions to the DCP
Refusing to grant the police the extra months they sought, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Neha Mittal issued a notice directly to the DCP. The court has instructed the senior officer to personally ensure that the inquiry is completed before the next scheduled hearing.
The matter is now listed for further hearing on October 23, with the eyes of the legal community on whether the police will meet the court's deadline.