C.W.P NO. 6894 OF 2009 -1- IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH C.W.P NO. 6894 OF 2009 DECIDED ON : 06.05.2009 Arti ...Petitioner versus State of Punjab and others ...Respondents CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURYA KANT Present : Mr. Manoj Kumar, Advocate, for the petitioner. SURYA KANT, J. (ORAL) Notice of motion. Mr. G. S. Attariwala, Additional Advocate General, Punjab, accepts notice on behalf of the respondents. In view of the nature of order which I propose to pass, there is no necessity to seek any counter-affidavit from the official respondents, at this stage. The petitioner seeks a mandamus to direct the respondents to hand over the investigation of FIR No. 110 dated 6.03.2009 under Sections 376 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code registered at Police Station Kotwali, Patiala, to some independent agency. The above-stated FIR has been got registered by the petitioner alleging that in the night intervening 25/26.03.2009, C.W.P NO. 6894 OF 2009 -2- she was raped by a group of persons, some of whom are named in the FIR also. The petitioner further alleges that the local police is shielding the accused persons who are stated to be influential, and that the on-going investigation is lying standstill. Having heard learned counsel for the petitioner and the State counsel and keeping in mind the nature of relief sought in this writ petition, however, without expressing any views on merits of the petitioner's allegations so that no prejudice is caused to anyone, I am of the considered view that the gravity of the offence demands serious and prompt action on the part of police authorities so as to take the on-going investigation to some logical conclusion at the earliest. The writ petition is accordingly disposed of with a direction to the Senior Superintendent of Police, Patiala to look into the petitioner's grievance and if so required, to entrust the investigation to a senior officer preferably in the rank of Dy. Superintendent of Police, who shall then ensure that the investigation is concluded at the earliest but not later than two months from the date of receipt of certified copy of this order. Disposed of. Let a copy of this order be given dasti on payment of usual charges. MAY 06, 2009 (SURYA KANT) shalini JUDGE