Delhi Gangrape: Panel under retd HC judge to probe police 'lapses'

A one-member panel is being set up to investigate "lapses" by police in connection with the gangrape of a 23-year-old student in the national capital.

A one-member panel is being set up to investigate "lapses" by police in connection with the gangrape of a 23-year-old student in the national capital.

HT Image

Highly-placed sources in the government said retired judge of the Delhi high court, Justice Usha Mehra, will look into this aspect to ascertain whether the incident could have been prevented.

"A notification in this regard is likely to come out soon," the sources said.

The move to set up a fresh panel comes in the wake of the refusal of the Justice Verma Committee to club the investigation of the incident with its mandate to recommend changes in laws relating to crime against women, it is learnt.

The committee headed by former Chief Justice of India J S Verma has been mandated to submit its recommendations to the government in the next 30 days.

The gangrape and vicious assault on the victim in a moving bus on December 16 in the capital has sparked country-wide outrage and a string of protests in the city.

The protesters have demanded severe punishment for the guilty and fast-tracking cases of crimes against women.

The Delhi high court has said it will set up five fast track courts in the capital to hear cases of crimes against women.

Home minister Sushikumar Shinde has said that police will seek day-to-day hearing of the gangrape case.