The Supreme Court will take up on Thursday the July 12 letter from the Unnao rape victim and her mother seeking protection.

A livid Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi told an open court that newspapers had created an impression that he had already read the letter.

“This morning I read in the papers that the Unnao victim had written to the Supreme Court. I was informed about the letter yesterday. I have not yet seen the letter. It is yet to be placed before me… unfortunately, the letter is yet to see the light of the day and newspapers flashed the news as if I have read it.”

Justice Gogoi added: “We try to do something constructive in the midst of this highly destructive volatile environment and this happens….”

The CJI appeared to be referring to a recent order for setting up special courts to deal with the rising number of cases relating to children. He sought a status report from the Uttar Pradesh government in the Unnao case.

Senior advocate and amicus curiae V. Giri urged the court to take suo moto cognisance of the Unnao case. The victim was a minor in 2017 when she was allegedly raped by BJP legislator Kuldeep Singh Sengar.

Giri said the Unnao case should ideally be dealt by a special court constituted under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso). The CJI has agreed to consider the suggestion.