POLICE TO ISSUE LOOKOUT CIRCULAR FOR DUO

AMRITSAR: With the Amritsar police failing to arrest the Chadhas even as they had been booked under non-bailable Sections two days ago, the department will issue a lookout circular for the father-son duo. A look-out circular orders authorities at airports, ports etc to detain those named, if they try to leave the country. An officer said it is generally issued when the police have reason to believe that the accused will try to flee the country. Sources said police laxity might have even allowed the Chadhas to flee. Now, their house is locked and the whole family might have gone underground, sources said.

When questioned on why did the police not arrest Chadha and his son soon after the First-information Report (FIR) was lodged, as the sections were non bailable, deputy commissioner of police, investigation, (DCP-I) Amritsar, Jagmohan Singh, was evasive. “The accused are not here,” the DCP said. Another senior police officer said as per Sections of the FIR, it was mandatory for the police to arrest the accused.

The Sections are 354 (using assault or criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354-A (sexual harassment and punishment for sexual harassment), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 67 and 67-A of the Information Technology Act.

Gautam Majithia, the victim’s lawyer, said, “Soon after lodging the FIR, the police should have arrested the accused. Now, they are issuing the LOC.”

On Friday (December 29), Amritsar police commissioner SS Srivastava had said, “Right now, we have booked the accused. We are investigating the matter. After investigation, we will see if any further action needs to be taken.”

The video of Chadha in an objectionable position with the principal went viral on December 26 and the victim lodged her complaint the same day. A case was registered on December 28. The daily crime report of Amritsar police mentioned that the FIR was registered on December 28, but the press release of Friday read that the case was lodged on December 29. Efforts to access a copy of the FIR proved futile

Soon after lodging the FIR, the police should have arrested the accused. Now, they are issuing the circular. GAUTAM MAJITHIA, the victim’s lawyer