Did the Police Only Act After NCW's Pressure in the Law College Rape Case?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Police action was prompted by NCW pressure.
- Importance of timely investigations in rape cases.
- Need for accountability in law enforcement.
- Victim's safety is a priority according to NCW.
- Challenges faced by NCW members during investigations.
Kolkata, June 29 (NationPress) The Kolkata Police, who are probing the rape case of a law college student, only intensified their efforts following pressure from the National Commission of Women (NCW), according to commission member Archana Majumdar, who made this statement on Sunday.
“As soon as we became aware of the situation, the commission chairperson, Vijaya Rahatkar, took suo motu cognizance of the issue and dispatched two letters: one to Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma and another to Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, urging them to act swiftly. It was only after this that the police began to engage actively in the case, completing pending tasks in their investigation,” Majumdar conveyed to the media after her visit to the law college.
She stated that following the letters from the NCW chairperson to Verma and Pant, the police took significant steps, finishing outstanding formalities such as conducting the remaining medico-legal assessments and bringing the victim to the crime scene for a thorough examination.
Majumdar also criticized the police for impeding her efforts while she was closely inspecting the crime scene. “The police were hesitant to grant us access to the college campus, claiming that certain investigation-related tasks were still ongoing. They requested a separate letter from us to conduct the survey of the crime scene,” Majumdar expressed.
In a correspondence sent by the NCW chairperson to the Chief Secretary on Saturday, he was instructed to ensure that the police facilitate access for Majumdar to the victim and her family.
The NCW chair also mandated the Chief Secretary to guarantee that the victim undergoes an immediate and confidential internal medical examination, with results submitted to the Commission within three days.
Furthermore, the Commission’s chief has ordered the Chief Secretary to arrange robust safety measures for the victim and her family.