Gauhati High Court Flags Procedural Lapses in Arunachal Pradesh Police Officer Bail Case

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The Gauhati High Court's Itanagar permanent bench has taken suo motu cognisance of a child prostitution and sexual assault case involving a senior Arunachal Pradesh police officer. The court has pulled up a lower court for granting bail to the officer, Bulang Marik, and has ordered immediate steps to protect the victims. The matter dates back to May 14 last year, when three girls, aged eight, 10, and 16, were rescued by police in a crackdown on a prostitution racket in Chimpu.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Gauhati High Court's Itanagar permanent bench has taken suo motu cognisance of a child prostitution and sexual assault case involving a senior Arunachal Pradesh police officer, Bulang Marik.
  • The court has pulled up a lower court for granting bail to Marik without ensuring victim participation through legal aid or notices.
  • The high court observed that there were inconsistencies in the case records and a clear procedural lapse between December 28, 2024, and January 4, 2025.
  • Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak directed that a notice be issued for cancellation of Marik's bail and asked the state to implement the Witness Protection Scheme, 2018, immediately.
  • The case involves three girls, aged eight, 10, and 16, who were rescued by police in a crackdown on a prostitution racket in Chimpu on May 14 last year.
  • Marik, the deputy superintendent of police (DSP) with the 1st Arunachal Pradesh Armed Police Battalion, Chimpu, was arrested on May 14 last year.
  • The high court ordered immediate steps to protect the victims and pulled up the lower court for not following proper procedures.

Statistics:

  • This case involves three girls aged 8, 10, and 16.
  • The girls were rescued by police in a crackdown on a prostitution racket in Chimpu on May 14 last year.
  • Bulang Marik, the accused DSP, was arrested on the same day.
  • The case has been ongoing since December 28, 2024, and January 4, 2025, with clear procedural lapses observed by the high court.

Sources:

  • "The Itanagar permanent bench of the Gauhati high court..." (Hindustan Times)
  • "Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak on May 9 directed..." (Hindustan Times)