Lodge FIR against ACP under SC/ST Act, orders court

A court here has directed the Delhi Police to lodge an FIR against an Assistant Commisioner of Police under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for allegedly conducting a one-sided inquiry into a case and failing to appear before it despite several notices.

Additional Sessions Judge Sonu Agnihotri issued directions to register a case against ACP Bijender Singh and Joint Commissioner of Police, Western Range, has been asked to file a compliance report on April 13.

The judge directed the case to be registered against the ACP under Section 4 of the SC/ST Act, pertaining to "punishment for wilful neglect of duties by a public servant".

The case, which Singh was investigating, relates to a parking dispute in a residential area in July, last year. The complainant alleged that Singh did not conduct a fair investigation in the matter and pressurised him into taking the case back.

The court observed that by failing to inquire the complaint impartially, the officer is liable to be proceeded for dereliction of duties.

It further stated that, "IO should have served notices to witnesses acquainted with facts and circumstances of present case on him coming to know about them with direction to them to speak truth regarding facts of the case and in event of their refusal, should have proceeded against them in accordance with law."

Inter alia, the court has further directed the Joint CP to file a charge sheet if required and investigate the matter properly. IANS