Chandigarh: The National Commission for Women (NCW) has called for fast-tracked judicial proceedings and an inquiry into alleged police negligence in the rape and murder of a 13-year-old girl in Jalandhar. A team from the Commission visited the victim’s family to directly review the circumstances surrounding the case and the investigative gaps raised by relatives.
According to the Commission, its Chairperson held a review meeting with senior police officials of the Jalandhar Division on December 4, where the case was discussed in detail. However, a scheduled meeting with divisional administrative officers was cancelled due to the Model Code of Conduct enforced for the Zila Parishad elections. The NCW said no advance information about the restrictions was provided, limiting discussions on broader issues relating to women’s safety in Punjab.
The victim’s mother told the Commission that CCTV footage showed the minor entering the house of the accused, who is a neighbour, the father of the girl’s friend, and a school bus driver. Crucially, no footage shows her exiting the residence. Despite this, ASI Mangat Ram, who searched the house on the day of the incident, allegedly failed to find the girl even after spending 30 to 40 minutes inside.
Neighbours later conducted their own search after noticing the absence of exit footage and discovered the girl’s body in the bathroom of the same house. The sequence of events has raised serious questions about the conduct of the initial police response.
The victim’s mother has demanded the strictest possible punishment for the accused under the POCSO Act and action against ASI Mangat Ram, against whom no FIR has been registered so far.
Taking note of the gravity of the crime, the NCW has urged the Fast Track Special Court to hold day-to-day hearings to ensure a swift and fair trial. The Commission will also issue a suo motu notice to the Punjab Director General of Police seeking an Action Taken Report within three days.
Expressing her anguish before the Commission, the mother said, “Mujhe aur meri bacchi ko insaaf chaiye.”
The NCW said it will continue to monitor the investigation and trial until the case reaches its lawful conclusion.
