Delhi High Court takes cognisnace of rape of minor by Department of Women officer Premoday Khakha

The Delhi High Court Monday took suo motu cognisance of the allegations of rape of a 16-year-old girl by one Premoday Khakha, an officer posted with Delhi government's Department of Women and Child Development. .A Division Bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Narula sought a report from the Delhi Police and the Department of Women and Child Development and posted the matter for further hearing on September 14.It also said that it will pass a detailed order.The Court today also questioned the Delhi Police on what action it has taken with regards to the girl's disclosure that she was raped by some other people as well. The counsel representing the Police said they will investigate that aspect and also informed the Court that the condition of the girl is still critical and she suffered from seizure yesterday.The Court asked the police to ensure that the identity of the victim is protected.The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) also said that it has taken cognisance of the issue and there have been certain anomalies in compliance with the rules and therefore, it will also file a reply in the case..Khakha was posted as Assistant Director in Delhi government’s Women and Child Development Department. He was arrested by the Delhi Police on August 21 and shortly thereafter, suspended from the job. Charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) have been invoked against him.His wife Seema Rani has also been arrested. The allegation is that she was aware of the incident and gave abortion pills to the 16-year-old survivor. .According to a NDTV report, the rapes occurred between November 2020 and January 2021 when the girl was living with Khakha and his wife after the death of her father.The rapes were revealed after the girl narrated the ordeal to a therapist at Delhi's St Stephen's Hospital, where she was receiving treatment for panic attacks. She called Khakha ‘mama’ (uncle).Allegations also surfaced that four women had previously accused the 51-year-old officer of sexually harassing them. The complainants were working at a mental health unit at Sewa Kutir complex at Kingsway Camp where Khakha was posted as Superintendent.On the basis of these complaints, the women and child department then formed an internal committee to probe the charges. However, the probe had concluded that the charges could not be proved.