Supreme Court strict: Suo motu cognizance in case of attack on female lawyer in Delhi, instructions to police

New Delhi . The Supreme Court on Monday took suo motu cognizance (suo motu) of the alleged barbaric attack on a woman advocate in the national capital Delhi and issued several important instructions to the Delhi Police, terming the matter as serious.

A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said during the hearing that it had received a letter seeking immediate intervention in the matter, following which the court took suo motu cognizance.

During the hearing, Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the court that an FIR has been registered in this case and the main accused, who is the victim’s husband, has been arrested on the night of April 25-26.

According to the police, the accused Manoj Kumar, a resident of Sonia Vihar, was caught from Khajuri Khas area. He is accused of attacking his 38-year-old wife with a knife on April 22. During interrogation, the accused confessed to committing this crime due to a family dispute.

The court directed to hand over the investigation of the case to a senior officer and said that it would be better if the investigating officer is a woman, who is of ACP or DCP rank.

During the hearing, the court expressed concern over another serious issue. The court directed that an investigation be conducted as to why three different hospitals allegedly refused to admit the injured woman. The court said that the patient not getting timely treatment in critical condition is very worrying and responsibility should be fixed for this.

Apart from this, the bench also took cognizance of the allegation that the victim’s in-laws have taken two minor children with them and there is no trace of them. The court ordered the police to immediately locate the two children and ensure their safety.

Finally, the Supreme Court has directed the investigating officer to present the detailed status report of the case in the next hearing. At present, the police is investigating this matter keeping in mind all aspects including domestic dispute.