Gurugram minor’s rape: SC tells SIT to visit child’s home in plain clothes with psychologist

Noting that the case involved serious issues, the Supreme Court on Monday asked the SIT probing a case of three-year-old child’s rape in Gurugram to visit her home in plain clothes, accompanied by a psychologist, to record the minor survivor’s statement.

A Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi gave two weeks to the all-women Special Investigation Team (SIT) to complete the probe and directed the trial court not to entertain any bail application of the accused until the SIT filed its chargesheet.

"The SIT members should visit along with child counsellors... Please go in civilian clothes...the child should not have any psychological impact. Have a cup of tea with the parents and interact with the child," the CJI said, posting the matter for further hearing on April 27.

On behalf of the SIT, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told the Bench that polygraph test of three accused was over and the report will take a week.

The Bench was informed that Gurugram Police had earlier sought a test identification parade (TIP) but it’s not being sought by the SIT now. On behalf of the doctor who examined the child and was pulled up by the court during the previous hearing for allegedly changing her statement, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan said she’s an 80-year-old reputed medical practitioner and that she didn’t change her version.

As Sankaranarayanan urged the court to drop the proceedings against her, the Bench said, "We are not going to drop the proceedings against anyone at the moment, and this case will be remembered in the whole country as an example". Noting that the Haryana Police made all-out efforts to protect the accused, the Supreme Court on March 25 set up an SIT consisting of three women IPS officers to probe the case.