TNN | Jan 12, 2013, 04.55 AM IST
NEW DELHI: "Women must feel safe on the streets of Delhi," the Supreme Court said on Friday while entertaining a PIL suggesting measures to prevent sexual assault in public transport and create a system for rehabilitation of rape victims. A bench of Justices K S Radhakrishnan and Dipak Misra said authorities must take suitable measures to bring back an atmosphere of safety, dignity and respect forwomen on the streets of Delhi and lamented that sexual assault continued to be reported from various places in Delhi even after extreme public outrage over Nirbhaya's gang rape.
While issuing notice to the Centre, Delhi government, transport ministry and National Commission for Women on a PIL by a student, Nipun Saxena, and a lawyer, Ankita Chaudhary, the bench said, "We are more concerned about the dignity of women." This is the third PIL entertained by SC this month after Nirbhaya's rape sparked nationwide outrage. On Friday, the PIL requested the court to focus on rampant permit violations by public transport vehicles in Delhi, compensation for rape victims and a rethink on the "two-finger test" to ascertain assault. The other two PILs have sought fast-tracking of rape trials, investigation by women police officers and filling up of judicial vacancies.
"Safety of women has to be restored," observed Justices Radhakrishnan and Misra during the hearing on the PIL. The bench said it was aware of the manner in which permits of public transport vehicles were renewed without even verifying the antecedents of owners and staff. "Buses on every route have to be guided. Permits of owners have to be renewed and not just of the bus," the bench said while issuing notice to the Delhi transport department in this regard.
The bench said it is the mindset that needs rehauling. "People must learn to behave. We are failing to treat ladies with equality and dignity," the bench said, referring to the increasing incidents of rape and molestation being reported from across the country. The petitioners protested against the "two-finger test" and requested the court to formulate another method so as not to further humiliate the victims. They also demanded a Criminal Injury Compensation Board to be constituted for victims of sexual offences, as ordered by apex court in 1995.
Link: Women’s safety on Delhi streets must: Supreme Court
While issuing notice to the Centre, Delhi government, transport ministry and National Commission for Women on a PIL by a student, Nipun Saxena, and a lawyer, Ankita Chaudhary, the bench said, "We are more concerned about the dignity of women." This is the third PIL entertained by SC this month after Nirbhaya's rape sparked nationwide outrage. On Friday, the PIL requested the court to focus on rampant permit violations by public transport vehicles in Delhi, compensation for rape victims and a rethink on the "two-finger test" to ascertain assault. The other two PILs have sought fast-tracking of rape trials, investigation by women police officers and filling up of judicial vacancies.
"Safety of women has to be restored," observed Justices Radhakrishnan and Misra during the hearing on the PIL. The bench said it was aware of the manner in which permits of public transport vehicles were renewed without even verifying the antecedents of owners and staff. "Buses on every route have to be guided. Permits of owners have to be renewed and not just of the bus," the bench said while issuing notice to the Delhi transport department in this regard.
The bench said it is the mindset that needs rehauling. "People must learn to behave. We are failing to treat ladies with equality and dignity," the bench said, referring to the increasing incidents of rape and molestation being reported from across the country. The petitioners protested against the "two-finger test" and requested the court to formulate another method so as not to further humiliate the victims. They also demanded a Criminal Injury Compensation Board to be constituted for victims of sexual offences, as ordered by apex court in 1995.
Link: Women’s safety on Delhi streets must: Supreme Court
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