Delhi HC chief justice, who expedited trial in rape cases, retires

Delhi high court chief justice D Murugesan, who had taken suo motu cognizance of the December 16 gang rape case and issued various directions to ensure the safety of women and medical aid to victims of crime, retired on Friday.

Delhi high court chief justice D Murugesan, who had taken suo motu cognizance of the December 16 gang rape case and issued various directions to ensure the safety of women and medical aid to victims of crime, retired on Friday.

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On December 23, a week after the gang rape, justice Murugesan had directed all lower court judges handling cases of sexual assault on women in the Capital to hold day-to-day hearings.

“The recent brutal gang rape in Delhi has shaken the entire nation. There is widespread outrage in the Capital and the Delhi high court has also taken a very serious view of the matter,” he said, setting up the special court in Saket which is holding day-to-day trial in the case.

He had also asked the Delhi police commissioner not to spare any errant policeman for the lapses resulting in the gang rape.

He directed that all private hospitals should admit victims of heinous crimes like rape and murder or face serious consequences.

Till now private hospitals refused to admit such patients citing various complications in medico-legal cases.

During his eight months tenure here, 62-year-old Murugesan also delivered several other landmark judgments including the one aimed at implementation of Right To Education (RTE) rules from nursery classes to ensure equal opportunity in education to the students of all sections.

Reforms in Tihar jail, more night shelters for the homeless, periodical surprise checks of city markets for checking pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables, ban on sale of junk food in schools are some of his other significant orders.