Bangalore's French rape case: Mother alleges insensitive interrogation

Bangalore: The mother of the four-year old girl who was allegedly raped by her own father, French official Pascal Mazurier, wants the Investigation Officer handling  the case in Bangalore to be replaced.

Mr Mazurier was arrested on June 19 after French officials clarified he was not entitled to diplomatic immunity.

His wife, Suja Jones, says that on June 25, she was interrogated for over five hours.  She says that the questioning was insensitively handled. Of the five officers who put questions to her, one was a woman.  She was intimidated about answering so many policemen, she claims.  She says several questions that were put to her were "irrelevant" - like how was the sexual relationship between the couple.

'We must sensitise and train our police officials in such a way that women feel free to reach to them for help rather than feeling intimidated and suffer within. For instance in the Philippines, the officers do not even meet the minor victim of rape in uniform and very subtly conduct investigations" said Premila Nesargi, who is the lawyer for Ms Jones.  

Mr  Mazurier been pleading not guilty since his arrest. Two days after his arrest,  his wife alleges, he issued a cheque for 2.5 lakhs, made out to a colleague of his at the French Consulate. Ms Jones discover the cheque had been cashed because this is a joint account she holds with her husband.  Ms Jones' lawyer questions how someone under arrest was able to issue a cheque for such a large amount.  

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The Police meanwhile maintain that they are probing the matter sensitively and that some questions in such cases are bound to be uncomfortable. A forensic report on the results of the DNA test conducted on Mr Mazurier is awaited.