New Delhi/IBNS, March 25 -- The Supreme Court on Wednesday came down heavily on the Gurugram Police, calling its handling of a child abuse case the "height of insensitivity", media reports said.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi made the strong observations while hearing a plea filed by the victim's parents, who alleged police inaction.

The bench questioned why the offence was downgraded from Section 6 of the POCSO Act, which mandates a minimum 20-year jail term upon conviction, to Section 10, which carries a significantly lesser punishment.

Justice Bagchi observed that even senior police officers, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police and Assistant Superintendent of Police, appeared...