Supreme Court Orders Senior Officer Probe in Delhi Assault Case

Supreme Court of India on Monday took suo motu cognisance of the brutal assault on a woman advocate in New Delhi, allegedly by her husband, and ordered that the investigation be handed over to a senior police officer.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to entrust the probe to an officer, preferably a woman, of the rank of ACP or DCP.

The court also instructed the investigating officer to examine allegations that three hospitals had refused admission to the victim.

Appearing for the police, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the bench that an FIR had been registered.

She said the victim’s husband, identified as the prime accused, was arrested during the intervening night of April 25 and 26.

The bench observed that it initiated suo motu proceedings after receiving a letter seeking urgent judicial intervention in the matter.

The case has raised concerns over violence against women and access to emergency medical care.