HYDERABAD: It has been a year since the horrific incident, where a mother and her family members brutally abused her four-year-old son while allegedly blurring the vision of his three-year-old sibling, shocked the city.
No action has been taken till date as police awaits ‘report 164’, which is essentially the victim’s account, from the Nampally criminal court, about the matter.
The incident had come to the father’s notice on March 14, 2016. It was reported at the Kacheguda police station and an FIR was registered on March 16.
A case was filed under Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act after the child’s statement was recorded on March 21. However, none of the alleged culprits have been put behind bars as there was a delay in the filing of the charge sheet.
The charge sheet is still awaited. However, that is because of a technical issue, according to V Jayanna, SI, Kacheguda.
“The statement came to us around 20 days after the child recorded it. However, his name was misspelled and we sent it back. Once we get it, we will file the charge sheet,” informed the inspector.
Explaining the delay, the child’s uncle said, “We were looking out for the children and the only thing on our minds was their safety. We got the custody. We were unaware that the child has to record a statement at the Criminal Court for a chargesheet to be filed.”
On an occasion, when the children were being produced before the judge in the Family Court after they were entrusted to be in the father’s custody, the mother allegedly created a ruckus on the court premises threatening the family to take back the children.
“That jolted us. We approached the High Court on November 24, 2016 about why she was not put behind the bars yet. The High Court directed the police to start the proceedings immediately. And only then, the child could record his statement in front of the magistrate in the Criminal Court on February 4, 2017,” the child’s uncle further informed Express.
Not more than 60 days for charge sheet in any case
As per the above mentioned Act, it is mandatory for the charge sheet to be filed in 30 days and in special cases can be extended to 60 days. “That is only in exceptional cases when the children in point are unavailable or there is a delay in collecting evidence. The district Child Protection officer is mandated to visit the child’s home and do a background check. Medical reports in case of abuse need to be in place,” informed ET Manjusha, an advocate working for aid and protection of juveniles.
Sometimes delay occurs because there are no full-time judges to oversee these proceedings, she added.