“The Honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan, in Criminal Petition 1420-L of 2019, approved and ordered immediate circulation of the Standard Operating Procedure for Investigation in Rape Cases, after noting its neglect by investigation authorities in practice” [1]
Clause 2 (iii) of the SOP states as under:
“Investigation of the female Rape case shall be conducted preferably by a woman police officer (not less than ASI/SI). In case, sufficient number of such I.Os are not available in a police station, the CPO/DPO of the district shall depute such an officer from elsewhere.”
- “i. The victim should be handled with utmost sympathy and sensitivity. The behavior towards women victim should be courteous. No embarrassing or indecent questions should be put to her as she is already under shock/trauma.
- ii. While talking to the victim, her psychology should be observed carefully and eliciting of information should be done in such a manner that she remains cool and calm. Proper account of the incident should be recorded in plain and simple language as early as possible in the informant’s own words. If the complainant while making oral report suspects or alleges against a particular person, the ground on which suspicion is bases be ascertained tactfully.
- iii. The lady investigation officers should be very cautious while talking to the victim. DCO of the district would be requested to arrange help of female psychologist/psychiatrist as she can be of immense help in bringing out the victim from trauma and preparing her to cooperate with the investigation agency.
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iv. The victim as well as the accused person (s) should be sent for medical examination after preparing the injury sheet by the I.O. Details of injuries/scratches, bruises and nail marks, if any, on their body should be clearly mentioned in the injury sheet.
- v. A rape victim above 18 years of age can only be examined after her written consent and a rape victim under 18 years of age can be examined only after a written consent from her parents/guardians.
- vi. The victim should be medically examined only by a lady doctor.
- vii. The victim should not be called at the Police Station, I.O. should visit to the victim’s house for ascertaining facts in the presence of her relatives/family members.
- viii. Efforts should be made to get the statement of victim recorded u/s 164 Cr.P.C. at the earliest."
References:
1. Supreme Court of Pakistan, https://www.supremecourt.gov.pk/downloads_judgements/crl.p._1420_l_2019.pdf , 2020