The Delhi High Court on Thursday pulled up Delhi Police over alleged rape case of a Non-Resident Indian woman by a businessman in September last year. The woman moved to court in effort transfer the probe from Delhi Police to its Crime Branch to ensure speed and fair investigation.
On hearing woman’s appeal, Justice Mukta Gupta objected to the Police reply that they have not preserved the CCTV footage or grounds from hotel room and as well interrogating police why it had recorded the woman’s statement twice under CrPC section 161.
The woman has alleged that she was raped by Vishal Chawla, a businessman on September 28, 2017, when she met him to talk about business possibility in India.
Police have filed a chargesheet against the man and her attorney said, the woman came to India in the month of September along with her spouse to look into business opportunities. As he came in contact with the defendant who claimed to be a business associate assuring to extend help.
The plea stated that, “On the night of the incident while her husband was away, the man came to her hotel and took her to his residence to discuss the proposals. The man served her drinks and later sexually assaulted her.”
The plea also states that the accused threatened her of dire consequences if she disclose the incident to anyone, however the woman and her husband approached Delhi Police and lodged a rape case.
The court directed police to file their status report on the prospect before the next date of hearing on July 11.
By Sowmya Sangam
