A Delhi court on Tuesday asked the police to expedite the ongoing investigation in the rape case against religious leader Dati Maharaj, PTI reported. The court also directed the deputy commissioner of police (crime branch) to monitor the investigation and file a status report on the case in the court every week.
The court asked the police why the religious leader was not arrested even though search warrants had been issued in the case, ANI reported. It criticised the Delhi Police and said that the investigation officer in the case has not been able to explain what steps have been taken to ensure that the accused does not abscond during the probe.
“It is stated by the Investigating Officer that accused Dati Madan Lal has been called for interrogation,” Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Pooja Talwar said, according to PTI. “He appears as and when notice is sent. However, upon being asked if the accused was found at the time of search on the two addresses for which the search warrants were issued, the answer is negative.”
The chief metropolitan magistrate then listed the matter for further hearing on July 3.
In its three-page status report submitted on Monday, the crime branch of the Delhi Police said that the allegations made by the complainant are based on two-year-old incidents. The police said a thorough probe needs to be done to verify the allegations.
A woman filed an FIR on June 11 against Dati Maharaj, his three brothers and a woman at the Fatehpur Beri police station in South Delhi. He has been charged with raping a disciple in his ashrams in Delhi and Rajasthan.
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