Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Krishna has issued comprehensive directions to all police units across the state to ensure the prompt protection, medical care, and legal assistance of women and girls who are survivors of sexual offences, following directions from the Allahabad High Court.
The instructions, circulated by the DGP Headquarters, mandate strict compliance with legal procedures outlined by the High Court during the hearing of a writ petition concerning the protection and care of survivors of sexual violence.
Under the new guidelines, police officers must ensure that any survivor of rape or sexual assault found to be pregnant is presented before the concerned Chief Medical Officer (CMO) without even a day’s delay. The objective is to enable a timely medical assessment and facilitate decisions regarding pregnancy termination in accordance with the law.
In cases involving minor survivors, investigating officers have been directed to submit all relevant documents before the CMO, including the medico-legal report prepared under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the survivor’s statement, a copy of the FIR, medical examination reports related to sexual violence, and other necessary records. These documents will assist medical authorities in evaluating the survivor’s physical and psychological condition before advising on medical termination of pregnancy, where applicable.
The DGP further directed that if the survivor is a minor and unmarried, the Station House Officer (SHO) must immediately inform the Police Commissioner or the Superintendent of Police. Senior officers have been instructed to ensure that all cases are handled in accordance with the provisions of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971, and the POCSO Act.
The circular also emphasizes meticulous documentation of every action taken by police. SHOs have been instructed to record all proceedings in the General Diary (GD). If the Chief Medical Officer or the Child Welfare Committee fails to take timely action or pay due attention to a case, the SHO must record the lapse in the General Diary and immediately forward a copy of the entry to both the District Magistrate (DM) and the Superintendent of Police (SP).
The guidelines require District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police to initiate necessary corrective measures within 24 hours of receiving such information and maintain a written record of the action taken.
Additionally, the DGP has assigned Mission Shakti Centres operating at police stations a key role in supporting the rehabilitation of women and girls affected by sexual offences. These centres have been directed to coordinate closely with nodal officers from the Health Department to ensure survivors receive timely medical treatment, counselling, rehabilitation, and all other assistance mandated under the law.
The directions are intended to strengthen institutional coordination between the police, health authorities, and child welfare agencies while ensuring that survivors receive immediate care and legal protection in compliance with judicial directives.
