Not new laws, speedy investigation is the key: experts

Even with an alarming rise in crimes against women, lawyers and policemen believe that proper implementation of the law and investigation can act as deterrent.

Even with an alarming rise in crimes against women, lawyers and policemen believe that proper implementation of the law and investigation can act as deterrent.

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While most lawyers said there was no need for new legislations to deal with crimes such as acid attacks, they maintained that trials should be expedited and investigation carried out properly.

“The existing laws are enough to deal with such offenses. The Indian Penal Code covers the offence of acid attack. If needed, the offence can be classified and described. We need speedy trial and investigation,” said Sudeep Pasbola, criminal lawyer and president of City Civil and Sessions Court Bar association.

Criminal lawyer Vaibhav Baghade opined that changing the law would not change things. “We need to change the approach of the people and investigation in a case,” he said.

Nitin Pradhan, a criminal lawyer, agreed. “The laws are powerful, but implementation is very poor. The attitude of the police is discouraging. If they wish, they can stop such instances by strict action. But they fail to do so and lose the case by not carrying out proper investigation,”

Former IPS officer-turned-lawyer YP Singh said, “The police should focus on watertight investigation. They should book the offenders under preventive sections and make habitual offenders sign bonds or book them under chapter cases.”