A damning official inquiry has uncovered severe procedural failures by police officers in Belagavi tasked with enforcing the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in a case concerning a minor girl. The investigation, ordered by child rights bodies, found clear violations of mandatory legal protocols designed to protect children.
Investigation Exposes Police Negligence
The probe was initiated after the Juvenile Justice Board and the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights took suo motu cognisance of media reports, including those published in The Times of India. These reports highlighted alleged mishandling of cases involving the abuse of minor girls within the jurisdiction of the APMC police station in Belagavi.
Following directions from high court-monitored bodies, Belagavi city police commissioner Bhushan Borase assigned the inquiry to assistant commissioner of police J Raghu. Over a week, ACP Raghu conducted a thorough investigation, which included:
- Recording statements from the victim and her mother.
- Interacting with the NGO that supported the family.
- Examining medical records of the case.
- Reviewing all relevant documents at the police station.
Officers Found Guilty of Dereliction of Duty
The investigation report, submitted to the Juvenile Justice Board under the Karnataka High Court, pinpointed three officers from the APMC police station for dereliction of duty. The officers found guilty are:
CPI Usman Awati, PSI SR Muttatti, and head constable Firoz Mujawar.
ACP Raghu's report to the police commissioner concluded that the APMC police failed to adhere to several mandatory provisions of the POCSO Act. It highlighted negligence, unexplained delays, and a distinct lack of sensitivity in dealing with a case involving a child victim.
Accountability and Eroding Public Trust
The findings have sparked significant concerns about the enforcement of child protection laws and accountability mechanisms within the police force. Confirming the report, Commissioner Bhushan Borase acknowledged the lapses and stated that disciplinary proceedings would be initiated against the concerned officers under the Karnataka State Police (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules.
Reacting to the development, P Susheela, an activist with the child rights organisation Spandana Sansthe, described the police lapses as "unfortunate," particularly in cases involving the abuse of minor girls. She emphasized that such incidents severely erode public trust in the police and weaken the very systems established to safeguard vulnerable children.
This case underscores the critical need for strict adherence to POCSO guidelines and continuous monitoring to ensure that those entrusted with protecting children fulfill their duty with the utmost diligence and empathy.
