RAHAT is a collaboration between Women and Child Development and Majlis Legal Centre to provide Socio-Legal Support to Victims Sexual Assault.

In order to achieve this objective RAHAT has collaborated with Mumbai Police. One of our initiatives was to draft guidelines for Police while recording and investigating cases of Sexual Assault.

We are happy to announce that a circular with guidelines has been issued by the Police Commissioner to all police stations in Mumbai.
Below is  english translation of the circular. Request you to circulate widely.

Circulated by ,  Pilot Project in Mumbai
Sexual Offences Against Women and Children
Guidelines to Police issued by Mumbai Police Commissioner
Special Police Circular No. 27/2013, Dated 12.8.2013

Sexual offences against:
• a person (boy or girl) under 18 years of age shall be registered under POCSO Act, 2012
• a women above 18 years of age shall be registered under IPC
FIRST INFORMATION REPORT
Any person having information of an offence can lodge an FIR. It is not necessary that the
information must be given by the aggrieved person. As soon as information is given to the
Police, an FIR shall be recorded without waiting for the appearance of aggrieved party. (S.
19 (1), POCSO Act, 2012, Maharashtra Police Guidelines Part 3 rule 113)
If an aggrieved woman gives information herself then the FIR shall be registered by a
woman police officer or any woman officer. (S. 154 (1) Cr.PC Proviso) *
If a mentally or physically disabled (temporary or permanent) victim wants to report the
commission of an offence or an attempt to commit an offence, the information shall be
recorded by the police officer at her residence or at any place of her choice in the presence
of an interpreter or a special educator. (S. 154 (1) (a) Cr.PC Proviso) *
If a mentally or physically disabled (temporary or permanent) victim wants to report the
commission of an offence or an attempt to commit an offence, the recording of such
information should be videographed. (S. 154 (1) (b) Cr.PC) *
A copy of the FIR should be given immediately and free of cost to the informant. (S.154 (2)
Cr.PC)
If a police officer refuses to register an FIR, it is a cognizable offence. (S.166A (c) IPC) *
If information of an offence committed is given to a police station within whose
jurisdiction the offence was not committed, that police station must register a ‘Zero’ FIR
and immediately transfer the same to the concerned police station. (Mumbai Police Rulebook Part
3 Rule no. 119-A)
FIRST AID AND MEDICAL EXAMINATION
If an offence has been committed, then the victim shall be provided first aid or medical
treatment free of cost by all hospitals (public and private). (IPC 357 (c) Cr. PC) *
Even if an offence committed on a child under any section of POCSO Act, 2012 has not
been registered at a police station, the medical examination of the child shall be conducted
in accordance with S.164 A Cr.PC. (S. 27 (1), POCSO Act, 2012)
Within 24 hours of receiving information of an offence under POCSO Act, 2012 or Rape
under IPC it is mandatory for the Police to send the victim for medical examination to a
registered medical practitioner. (S. 164A, Cr. P.C.)
VICTIM STATEMENT
The statement of the victim shall be recorded by a woman police officer or any woman
officer. The statement shall be recorded at her residence or at a place of her choice in the
presence of her parents or guardians or relatives or social worker of the locality or any
other person in whom the victim has trust. (S. 161 Proviso 2 Cr.PC and S. 157 (1) (b) Proviso Cr.PC) *
The statement of a mentally or physically disabled (temporarily or permanently) child
shall be recorded with the assistance of a special educator or any person that the child can
communicate with. The police officer can take the help of professionals and experts in the
field. (S. 26 (3) POCSO Act, 2012)
The statement of a victim shall be recorded by a Judicial Magistrate in accordance with S.
164 (5A) (a) Cr. PC. (S. 154 (1) (c) of Cr.PC)
The statement of the child victim shall be recorded at her/his residence or at the place of
her/his choice. The statement shall be recorded by a woman police officer not below the
rank of sub inspector in presence of the child’s parents or any person in whom the child
has trust. (S. 24 (1) POCSO Act, 2012)
While recording the statement of the child victim the woman police officer shall not be in
uniform. (S. 24 (2) POCSO Act, 2012)
While recording / investigating an offence under POCSO Act, 2012 the police officer shall
ensure that the child victim does not come in contact with the accused at any point of time.
(S. 24 (3) POCSO Act, 2012)
SHELTER HOME AND CHILD WELFARE COMMITTEE
On receiving information of an offence under POCSO Act, 2012, if the police officer is
satisfied that the child victim is in need of care and protection, then the she/he shall record
the reason in writing and provide protection to the child immediately / within 24 hours;
this includes admitting the child in a Shelter Home or Hospital. (S. 19 (5) POCSO Act, 2012)
Information about an offence under POCSO Act, 2012 as well as steps taken to provide
protection to the child shall be reported within 24 hours by the police officer to Child
Welfare Committee and the designated Special / Session Court. (S. 19 (6) POCSO Act, 2012)
POCSO – The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012;
* Under Ss. 354, 354A, 354B, 354C, 354D, 376, 376A, 376B, 376C, 376D, 376E and 509 IPC

 

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