Measures against atrocities on women
Praveen Dixit, DGP (Rtd) Maharashtra, Oct 11, 2020
NCRB has recently published data of crimes in 2019. Important crimes against women include a) rape and murder, b) gang rape, c) rape, d) feticide , e) dowry deaths, f) abatement to suicide, g)acid attacks, h) harassment by husband or his relatives, i) abduction and kidnapping, j) sexual harassment, misuse of cyber space to create sexual harassment.
MHA in GoI needs to be congratulated for several measures initiated recently to reduce the nuisance of these offenders. These include A) launching of 112 app for immediate redress in emergencies, B) launching of cyber helpline 155260 from 9 am to 6 pm, C) platform www.cybercrime.gov.in to even make anonymous complaints from anywhere, D) directions to complete investigation in two months in instances of rape, E) establishing of fast tract courts.
May consider following suggestions to improve the situation further:
1)All complaints pertaining to sexual harassment, rape etc must be recorded through camera only. This would reduce chances of manipulation by police as well as by the complainant subsequently. The recording would be in the language and words as mentioned by the complainant and thus the chances of burking would not be there. FIR to be submitted to the Magistrate electronically.
2)All statements of witnesses would be video recorded
3)Collection of samples to be done under the guidance of Forensic experts who should do the same through video call. Private forensic experts to be kept on panel and be made available on job basis. Panel of medical experts
be made available after certification from experts. DNA evidence should be the main evidence in all sexual offences so that the cases can end in conviction.
4)Conducting of the trial should be only through e court. It means the evidence as well charge sheet to be submitted only through digitally.
5)The courts trying these offenses would function from 6 am to 9 pm in two shifts.
6)In cases of sexual harassment the charge sheet to be submitted within 24 hours from the complaint. This was started in Maharashtra in 2015-16 and it provided significant improvement against the sexual offenders.
7)In all cases of sexual harassment, Magistrate to complete the trial within one month.
8)In cases where the accused is released on bail, stern preventive action to be taken including bond from the relatives of the complainant, and with women sureties
9)Panel of lawyers including cyber experts to be made available as prosecutors.
10)Continuous education scheme to be implemented in all schools and colleges against sexual harassment and cyber offences.
11)In addition, the scheme under 112 app needs to be implemented in all parts of the country and given wide publicity through radio and electronic media on day to day basis.
12)If a girl, boy and their parents’ consent, girl may be allowed to marry after completion of sixteen years of age.
I am sure implementation of above measures and use of technology would certainly improve the situation.
