Ghaziabad child rape-murder: UP tells Supreme Court that SIT has called for action against cop who protected accused

The Supreme Court on Thursday took note of the recommendation of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl in Ghaziabad for action against the Station House Officer (SHO) concerned [XXX v. State of Uttar Pradesh].

A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was informed that the SHO has already been transferred to police lines pursuant to the SIT's findings.

"It is a serious case of lapse. We need to go through the SIT report," the CJI observed during the hearing.

The Supreme Court had earlier constituted an all-women SIT to probe the case, having strongly criticised the police investigation and censured private hospitals for allegedly refusing treatment to the child.

Appearing for the State of Uttar Pradesh, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati briefed the Court on the corrective steps taken since the SIT's intervention. She submitted that CCTV footage in the area had earlier been preserved for only 15 days, but this period has now been extended to over 6 months in compliance with the SIT's recommendations.

ASG Bhati further informed the Bench that safety drives are being conducted in the locality to prevent it from turning into a crime-prone zone.

Senior Advocate N Hariharan, appearing for the victim's father, sought time to go through the SIT report before making submissions.

After perusing the report and hearing the State's counsel, the Court said that it would take up the case again next week.

The incident allegedly transpired on March 16, when a neighbour took the child with him on the pretext of buying chocolate. When they did not return, a search was initiated. The child was later found unconscious and covered in blood.

“The doctor in the private hospital refused to take her in…She was taken to another private hospital where the child was denied admission. Finally the child was taken to Ghaziabad district hospital where she was declared dead,” the Court had noted during a previous hearing.

The Bench further recorded that the trauma was compounded when the matter reached the police.

“Instead of taking cognizance the petitioner and the family members were physically assaulted. They were asked to remain silent about the incident. FIR 129/2026 was then lodged on next day that is on March 17."

It also flagged glaring inconsistencies in the investigation.

“FIR was under sections similar to 302 and 201 of IPC. No offence under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) or Section 376 was lodged though the case was apparent case of sexual assault,” the Court said.

The accused was apprehended only on March 18, the Bench further noted.

Taking note of the allegations, the Court said that it was satisfied that an SIT probe was required.

The Court also issued notice to the two private hospitals that had allegedly refused treatment to the child. It further ordered that the identity of the child and her family members shall not be disclosed and “any such info shall be redacted.”

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