The Supreme Court on Friday strongly criticised the Ghaziabad authorities over their handling of a horrific case involving the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl.

A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi, expressed serious concern over the “indifference” and “insensitivity” shown by the police and even private hospitals.

The Court has summoned the Ghaziabad Police Commissioner and the investigating officer to appear next week with all case records.

The incident took place on March 16, when the child was allegedly lured away by a neighbour on the pretext of buying chocolates. Hours later, her father found her unconscious and severely injured.

Two private hospitals reportedly refused to admit her, after which she was taken to a government hospital where she was declared dead.

The Supreme Court called this conduct “shocking,” pointing not only to the hospitals’ refusal to treat the child but also to the police’s delayed response. The family alleged that when they first approached the police, they were assaulted instead of being helped. An FIR was registered only the next day, and the accused was arrested on March 18.

The Court also flagged serious lapses in the investigation. It noted that the FIR did not initially include charges under rape laws or the POCSO Act. Even the spot report and post-mortem findings were found to be incomplete and insensitive, failing to properly record signs of sexual assault.

The victim’s lawyer told the Court that there was evidence of brutal sexual assault, but the police appeared to treat the case only as a murder. He also claimed that the child may have still been alive at one point, contrary to the police version.

It was further alleged that the victim’s father, a daily wage worker, is being pressured to withdraw the case. Taking note of this, the Supreme Court ordered that no coercive action be taken against the family or witnesses.

The Court was unimpressed with the authorities’ defence that a chargesheet had already been filed, remarking that filing paperwork cannot make up for a flawed investigation.

Calling for a fair probe, the Court suggested setting up a court-monitored, time-bound Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a central agency. It also issued notices to the private hospitals that refused treatment and directed that the identity of the victim and her family must be protected.

The matter will be heard next on Monday.