‘Fast-track rape cases, suspend cops not recording FIRs’

The ministry of women and child development has reacted strongly to the Hindustan Times report ‘Capital Shame: 5 rapes in 48 hours’, published on Wednesday. A slew of tough measures have been ordered to tackle the rising cases of rape and atrocities against women.

The ministry of women and child development has reacted strongly to the Hindustan Times report ‘Capital Shame: 5 rapes in 48 hours’, published on Wednesday. A slew of tough measures have been ordered to tackle the rising cases of rape and atrocities against women.

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“All cases of rape must be tried through fast track courts, the hearing must be on a day-to-day basis,” said minister Krishna Tirath.

FIRs in all such cases should be immediately lodged, she said. “Any delay, dilatory tactics, soft pedalling or procrastination must invite exemplary penal action. For instance, any police officer not lodging an FIR must be suspended forthwith,” she said.

The measures, she said, would have a telling effect and would provide women with security and status. “I am determined to pursue this at appropriate levels,” she said.

On Wednesday, HT reported how in less than 48 hours — from the evening of July 1 to the morning of July 3 — five rapes had taken place in Delhi and an airhostess had been molested. This took place despite the Delhi Police having three women deputy commissioners and women beat constables.

HT had earlier reported about a scheme to compensate rape victims, which will be launched from August 1. Under the scheme, R2 lakh will be provided to a rape victim. In case the victim is a minor or is mentally or physically challenged, the amount may be increased to R3 lakh.

Of late, there has been a rise in atrocities against women. Many cases have been

reported from Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and other parts of the country, which have been confirmed by the National Commission for Women and the National Human Rights Commission.

Altogether, 63,601 cases of rape were registered across the country from 2007 to 2009. Even so, the authorities agree that incidents of rape are grossly under-reported in India.