The commission also emphasised the urgency of judicial action.
After Jalandhar Minor’s Killing, NCW Questions Police Response, Issues Notice to DGP
On December 6, 2025, the National Commission for Women (NCW) announced that it will issue a suo motu notice to the Punjab Police headed by Gaurav Yadav (Punjab DGP) and will demand an action report within three days for a 13-year-old girl killing case in Jalandhar on November 22.
The NCW said its intervention was prompted by “serious concerns” over alleged negligence by police investigation. According to the victim’s mother and the commission’s fact-finding team, an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), Mangat Ram, reportedly failed to locate the girl despite searching the accused’s residence. The girl’s body was later discovered in the bathroom of the same house by neighbours; these things raised questions about the adequacy of the initial search.
As per police statements, the police have dismissed ASI Mangat Ram for gross negligence. The NCW’s statement highlights that no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against him as of now. The commission also emphasised the urgency of judicial action: it has urged a fast-track court handling the matter to conduct daily hearings so that the trial proceeds swiftly and fairly.
The NCW’s involvement started with a visit to the victim’s family and a review meeting on December 4 with senior Jalandhar police officials. The commission has also criticised state administrative officials for cancelling a scheduled meeting on women’s safety under the pretext of the enforcement of the model code of conduct ahead of Zila Parishad elections, a cancellation that it said undermined efforts to strengthen women’s safety protocols in the region.
The young age of the victim and the nature of the crime, the alleged assault and killing of a minor, have triggered public outrage. The NCW’s notice to the DGP signals that beyond this single case, there is concern over systemic lapses in police response to crimes against children and women. The demand for transparent investigation, strict punishment for the accused and accountability within the police force underscores both institutional accountability and the urgent need to restore public faith in the justice system.
The gravity of the crime and the institutional accountability issues it raises, and its broader implications for policing and child safety in India, the NCW’s notice, and the case itself require serious and sustained coverage.
Source: Times of India
