Expressing dissatisfaction of the probe speed, Allahabad HC seeks DNA test reports in Mainpuri girl death case by October 25

Hearing the death case of 16-year-old girl from Mainpuri who was found hanging in her school in the year 2019, Allahabad High Court said that the court is not satisfied with the speed with which the investigation is being carried out.

The Bench comprising Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Piyush Agrawal observed that D.N.A. samples of 170 suspected accused have been taken and have been sent to the laboratory for testing, however, the reports are yet to be received.

On September 16, the court had asked the Director-General of Police, who appeared in person, to ensure that probes in rape cases in the State are completed within two months in compliance with Section 173 of CrPC.  

Court had also directed the DGP to closely monitor the progress of the investigation in the present matter so that it may reach its logical conclusion within a time frame.

In terms of this order, the State's counsel produced two copies of the status report regarding the investigation being carried out in the present case, upon perusal of which court expressed its dissatisfaction.

Thereafter, adjourning the matter to October 25, 2021 for further hearing, Court noted that in case the report of D.N.A. testing is not received by the next date of hearing, the Director-General of Police, U.P. will have to appear in person in Court.

The matter dates back to September 17, 2019, when Mainpuri police filed a case of murder and attempt to rape against three persons after the 16-year-old student was found hanging in a suspicious manner in her hostel room the day before.

Although the police had initially claimed that it was a case of suicide, the 16-year old's mother, on the other hand, had alleged that she was harassed, beaten and assaulted, and thereafter hanged.

The three persons named in the case were the school’s female principal, the hostel warden, and one of the victim’s classmates. The girl’s family alleged that a student had attempted to rape the girl and kill her. The police had, on the contrary, denied the sexual assault allegation claiming that the girl hanged herself.

However, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) decided to conduct DNA profiling after forensic experts found semen stains on the victim’s undergarments.

It is to be noted that the state government had formed a two SITs within a span of two years after being pulled up by the Allahabad High Court over the manner of investigation into the case. The first one was formed in December 2019 but when that team failed to reach any conclusion, the State formed a new SIT, which is currently investigating the matter.

Earlier, the Court had pulled up the investigating officer when he could not explain the delay in interrogating the accused in the case, while remarking that this lag occurred despite serious allegations against the accused.

Court then summoned the Director-General of Police, UP and asked him and the members of the SIT team to explain the inaction of the Police Authorities in the investigation and directed him to ensure timely completion of the probe.

Case Title: Mahendra Pratap Singh v State Of U.P. Through Secretary (Home) And 2 Others