On the directions of the director general of police (DGP), the district police have started a review of pending rape cases. In the wake of recent incident of a rape victim committing suicide in Patiala, who was repeatedly called to the police station, the chief minister had asked the state police to be empathic while dealing with the gender-related crimes.

Hoshiarpur senior superintendent of police (SSP) Sukhchain Singh Gill revealed that seven rape and molestation cases were under review. "In one case, wherein a divorcee had filed a complaint against her husband and his friend, we have constituted a special investigation team headed by SP (detective). The husband is already under arrest.

Another rape and fraud case, registered in Sadar police station on the complaint of a married woman, is also being investigated by the SP," he said. The other cases were also being looked in to by gazetted officers, he added.

The SSP claimed that strict directions had been issued to the officers and station heads to ensure that no woman complainant was harassed. He revealed that soon a women helpline would be started to entertain their complaints.