A local court in Chandigarh has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the investigation into a social media harassment case and ordered a fresh probe by a senior woman police officer. The initial investigation, overseen by a male officer, was deemed inadequate and potentially biased.
The Case:
- A woman residing in Chandigarh, along with her husband who runs a music company, reported harassment by an aspiring singer named Gundeep Singh in 2017.
- The harassment allegedly escalated in 2020, culminating in Gundeep using vulgar language towards the woman during an Instagram live session, stealing hard drives from their home, and demanding ₹1 crore.
- A case was registered against Gundeep under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and Information Technology Act in January 2021.
Concerns with the Initial Investigation:
- The woman, dissatisfied with the investigation's progress, expressed concerns about its fairness and thoroughness.
- Specifically, she alleged that:
- The investigating officer (IO) failed to consider crucial evidence like audio/video recordings from the Instagram live session and the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) report confirming the voice match.
- The extortion allegations were not adequately investigated.
Court Intervention and Next Steps:
- The court, acknowledging the woman's concerns and finding prima facie evidence of the IO's potential bias, rejected the cancellation report filed by the police.
- The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Chandigarh has been directed to:
- Investigate the matter through a senior woman police officer.
- Submit a compliance report by March 1st, 2024.
Significance and Potential Impact:
- This case highlights the importance of thorough and unbiased investigations in sensitive matters like online harassment.
- The court's intervention sets a precedent for holding authorities accountable for potential lapses in investigations.
- The involvement of a senior woman officer in the new probe may offer a more sensitive and comprehensive approach, potentially encouraging other victims to come forward.
Additional Notes:
- The article avoids sensationalizing the issue and focuses on the legal aspects and procedural concerns.
- It maintains a neutral tone while presenting the complainant's allegations and the court's observations.
- You can consider including the woman's profession or the music company's genre for context, but avoid unnecessary details that could identify the individuals involved.
(With input from news agency language)
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