LAHORE: Inspector General Police Punjab Captain (r) Arif Nawaz Khan has issued new standing orders for the police regarding cases of child abuse.
The IGP directed CCPO Lahore, all RPOs, CPOs, and DPOs to take effective steps under their supervision to pay special attention to cases of sexual abuse and directed all CPOs, DPOs should hold a meeting with their relevant ASPs, SDPOs, DSPs Legal, SHOs, In-charge Investigation and In-charge Police Posts for briefing them about the standing order in detail.
The report regarding this matter would be sent to the central police office on September 28.
The standing order states that in case of agreement between the accused and the plaintiff, section 311 would be included in the case.
According to the standing order, in cases of sexual abuse, the relevant SHO or senior officer would have to reach the spot where the crime is committed.
It has further been said in the notification that the SHO will be bound to collect scientific and material evidence from the crime scene and if the affected person is found injured the SHO would take him/her to hospital for medical aid.
As per the notification, after the First Information Reports is lodged, a special report case on child abuse would be sent to senior officers. Investigation officers would make a sketch of the wound of the affected child and all hits, bruises, signs, signs of nails will be reported.
Statement of the victim shall be recorded under section 164. The police would also take DNA of the victim and the suspect if they are in police custody.
The standing order further states that the victim shall not be called for their presence in the investigation but the investigation officer will himself move to the home of the affected person and will record the statements of witnesses. The investigation officer will not ask any questions which may hurt the sensibilities of the victim.
Written approval will be sought from the victim for his medical check-up if he is above 18 years whereas approval of medical examination will be sought from guardians or parents of affected person if he is below 18 years.
If the affected child is a female then the investigation will be conducted by a lady sub-inspector. If mobile phones or other electronic gadgets are recovered from the accused then these would be sent to Forensic Science Agency Lahore without delay.
During investigations, collection of forensic evidence would be ensured. During the examination of the crime scene, investigation officers would archive all pieces of evidence which would later be submitted to the courts. If CCTV camera is found from the crime scene then the investigation officer should secure its recording so that the final decision is reached easily.
The arrested accused would undergo medical tests to ascertain his medical and psychological condition.
Documents about the ages of the victim and the accused would be obtainable form NADRA and if no documents are found than the opinion of an expert doctor would be sought.
The process would be initiated under section 88 for the arrest of the absconder and If accused is unknown than a sketch of the culprit would be issued for his earliest arrest. If an individual is arrested on suspicion than the arrested person would be immediately shifted to judicial lockup so that identification parade is done.
Gazetted police officer will review the case documents (MISAL MUQADMA) and sign it before sending it to the prosecution branch. Sub Inspector will be deputed as follow-up officer for trial in such cases and with the help of prosecution and judiciary trial in such cases would be concluded at the earliest without delay. All district police heads/SP investigation would ensure coordination with the public prosecutor and honorable District & Session Judge and cases of sexual crimes against children must be a compulsory agenda of monthly crime meeting.
SP Investigation will be the focal person in all such cases and will supervise investigation. Legal and moral support will be provided to victims and their families in case a child’s family is not found the Child Protection Bureau would be engaged.
Effective monitoring of such criminals under police rules 1934 will also be ensured. If any criminal involved in child abuse case changes his residence his record will be shared with the new police station. In the character certificate of such criminals, cases and punishment of child sexual abuse will also be mentioned.
