SC Forms Special Team to Probe Ghaziabad Child Assault and Murder

The Supreme Court of India has ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising three women police officers to probe the alleged sexual assault and murder of a four-year-old child in Ghaziabad.

A bench led by Surya Kant directed that the SIT should include a woman officer of Commissioner or Inspector General rank, preferably from the Uttar Pradesh cadre but without roots in the state. The team will also include a second officer not below the rank of Superintendent of Police or Deputy Superintendent of Police, and a third officer of DySP or Inspector rank.

The Court ordered that the SIT be notified either today or by 11 PM tomorrow at the latest, and that it must begin the investigation immediately.

The bench said the decision was taken considering the “diabolical” nature of the offence and serious concerns raised by the victim’s family over the lack of a fair, impartial, and empathetic investigation.

The Court also directed the SIT to examine the role of two private hospitals that allegedly denied medical treatment to the child during the golden hour when she was still alive, as well as officials accused of mishandling the investigation.

Further directions were issued to address all grievances raised by the parents, including ensuring protection of key witnesses. The trial court has also been instructed to keep proceedings in abeyance until the SIT submits its supplementary report.