May 15, 2013: Daughter-in-law should not be treated as domestic help, says Supreme Court

Press Trust of India | Updated: May 15, 2013 20:29 IST

New Delhi: A daughter-in-law should be treated as a family member and not the domestic help, and she cannot be "thrown out of her matrimonial home at any time", the Supreme Court has said, while expressing concern over instances of brides being burnt and tortured in the country.

The top court said a bride must be respected in her matrimonial home as it "reflects the sensitivity of a civilised society."

"A daughter-in-law is to be treated as a member of the family with warmth and affection and not as a stranger with respectable and ignoble indifference. She should not be treated as a house maid. No impression should be given that she can be thrown out of her matrimonial home at any time," a bench of justices K S Radhakrishnan and Dipak Misra said.

"Respect of a bride in her matrimonial home glorifies the solemnity and sanctity of marriage, reflects the sensitivity of a civilised society and eventually epitomises her aspirations dreamt of in nuptial bliss.

"But the manner in which sometimes the bride is treated in many a home by the husband, in-law and the relatives creates a feeling of emotional numbness in society," it said.

The Supreme Court made the observations while sentencing a man to five years imprisonment for torturing his wife, who committed suicide.

The bench said it was a matter of great concern that brides in several cases were being treated with total insensitivity, destroying their desire to live.

"It is a matter of grave concern and shame that brides are burned or otherwise their life-sparks are extinguished by torture, both physical and mental, because of demand of dowry and insatiable greed and sometimes, sans demand of dowry, because of cruelty and harassment meted out to the nascent brides, treating them with total insensitivity, destroying their desire to live and forcing them to commit suicide, a brutal self-humiliation of life," the bench said.
Link: Daughter-in-law should not be treated as domestic help, says Supreme Court

Feb 2, 2013: Ordinance on sexual crimes: Women activists angry, criticize ‘key’ omissions

TNN | Feb 2, 2013, 01.58 AM IST

NEW DELHI: No sooner had the Union Cabinet cleared an ordinance to sharpen laws on sexual assault than some women activists questioned the "unseemly haste" in promulgating an ordinance when Parliament is convening only 20 days later. A bipartisan sanction to tougher laws against sex crimes, they said, would carry greater force. Some of them went so far as to say that they would urge the President to not sign the ordinance. 

Additional solicitor general, Indira Jaising felt that ordinances should be brought only in an emergency situation that brooked no delay. In this instance there was no such pressing emergency. In fact, greater deliberation would only help to enact a set of stronger — and if need be, more nuanced — laws. 

The non-inclusion of marital rape as a crime, even in the period leading up to separation, has come in for sharp criticism from activists. 

Jaising said she was disappointed that the Cabinet had not waived government sanction for police to take up cases of rape by armed forces personnel. "While this need for sanction is understandable in the case of encounter deaths, as that might have happened in the course of duty, how can rape be committed in the course of duty?" she said.
Link: Ordinance on sexual crimes: Women activists angry, criticize ‘key’ omissions

Feb 02, 2013: Rape law ordinance: Govt rejects JS Verma panel's recommendations on marital rape, review of AFSPA

Edited by Ashish Mukherjee | Updated: February 02, 2013 10:41 IST

New Delhi: The government has brought in an ordinance to introduce stricter penalties for crimes against women, including death in extreme cases, but ignored the Justice JS Verma commission's recommendations on criminalising marital rape and reviewing controversial sections of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

Marital rape and sexual offences by members of the armed forces in areas under AFSPA are hotly debated issues among women's rights activists in the country. (Read: Ordinance vs Verma commission recommendations)

In its report, the Justice Verma commission had called for steps to prevent marital rape. It also observed that sexual violence was being legitimised under AFSPA and suggested that such crimes by members of the armed forces be tried under ordinary criminal law. 

The ordinance incorporates some but not all recommendations of the commission, a panel of three legal experts appointed in the wake of fierce street protests after the gang-rape of a medical student in Delhi last month. 

The ordinance will come into effect as soon as the President signs it. Parliament has to pass it within six months. 
Link: Rape law ordinance: Govt rejects JS Verma panel's recommendations on marital rape, review of AFSPA

Feb 01, 2013: Death sentence for extreme cases, says ordinance on anti-rape laws

Reported by Sunil Prabhu, Edited by Shamik Ghosh | Updated: February 01, 2013 19:37 IST

New Delhi: The government has reportedly recommended including the death sentence in extreme cases of sexual assault in an ordinance that it plans to issue in the wake of national outrage over the gang-rape of a medical student on a Delhi bus last month.

The ordinance, which will enact tougher laws for sexual offenders as recommended by the Justice JS Verma Commission, is being discussed right now by the Union Cabinet, which will take a final call on the proposals. 

Sources said while it has included the death sentence or a jail term spanning the convict's lifetime in "extreme cases", the government has omitted a recommendation made by the Justice Verma Commission that sexual assault in a marriage also be included.  

Despite demands to include the death penalty for convicted rapists, the Verma Commission did not recommend capital punishment in its report, saying that even women's groups that had been fighting on the issue for years, were against it. 

In the proposed ordinance, the word "rape" has been replaced by the term "sexual assault" and acid attacks, use of criminal force and stalking have been included under that.  

Named for the retired chief justice who was its chair, the Verma committee recently recommended major revisions of the laws that deal with crimes against women. 

Law Minister Ashwani Kumar said today, "We have diligently applied our mind to various recommendations of the Verma committee and the Criminal Amendment Bill and a final view will emerge after the cabinet meeting."

Parliament is scheduled to meet on February 21 for its budget session. The ordinance allows for the changes to be enacted before Parliament debates the 600-page report of the Verma commission, which was readied in just 29 days.  Justice Verma, who is 80, had urged the government to match his team's commitment by implementing the changes urgently. Earlier this week, the Prime Minister sent him a letter stating, "On behalf of our government, I assure you that we will be prompt in pursuing the recommendations of the committee."

Five men have been arrested for the fatal gang-rape and are being tried at a fast-track court in Delhi. A sixth who says he is 17 is being tried separately at a juvenile court. 

The barbarous gang-rape provoked fierce street protests with thousands of students vowing they would fight for better policing and tougher anti-rape laws.  As public anger surged, the government appointed the Justice Verma commission to review existing laws.
Link: Death sentence for extreme cases, says ordinance on anti-rape laws

Jan 31, 2013: Govt set to clear lifelong jail for rape and murder

By Vishwa Mohan, TNN | Jan 31, 2013, 01.23 AM IST

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has promised swift action on the recommendations of the Justice JS Verma committee amid strong indications that the government is ready to toughen laws dealing with crimes against women by providing for life imprisonment for rape-murder and addition of new offences such as disrobing of women, voyeurism, stalking and trafficking. 

Sources said the Justice Verma panel's recommendations pertaining to gang rape — punishing the guilty with rigorous imprisonment (minimum 20 years extendable to a jail term for the duration of a convicted person's natural life), identification of gang rape causing death or causing the victim to be in a persistent vegetative state as a new offence, and increased punishment for repeat offenders — will find place in the amended legislation. 

Sources also said the ministry was in agreement with the grounds that the Justice Verma panel cited to reject the clamour for death penalty and chemical castration as punishment for rapists. 

PM vows action 

PM Singh on Wednesday assured Justice Verma in a letter that his committee's recommendations in the wake of the Nirbhaya case would be acted on promptly. "On behalf of our government, I assure you that we will be prompt in pursuing the recommendations of the committee," the PM said in his letter. 

The letter addressed Justice Verma's comments that the government could ignore his recommendations only at its own peril. It also appeared to be aimed at aligning government with the popular outrage in the wake of the rape and death of Nirbhaya, given that Justice Verma had complained that the report was received by a middle level bureaucrat. 

Singh is learnt to have extended the assurance to Justice Verma after getting feedback on the panel's recommendations from home minister Sushilkumar Shinde who on Wednesday held detailed discussions with his ministry officials. 

Shinde later told the media that his ministry would act swiftly on all "actionable" suggestions. Without giving any timeframe, he said, "We will implement it as soon as possible." 

An official said, "A final decision on any of these clauses will be taken after considering views of the parliamentary standing committee on home affairs which is expected to discuss the Justice Verma panel's report on February 4." 

He said the "actionable" suggestions would find its way through official amendment to theCriminal Amendment Bill that was introduced in Parliament in December last year. 

The Justice Verma panel suggested introducing new sections to deal with offences like disrobing a woman - such incidents are regularly reported from all over the country and are part of sexual assaults or acts of revenge, including caste animus. Voyeurism, stalking and trafficking are also likely to be dealt with specifically. 

Offences like passing lewd remarks, gestures, sounds or acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman are covered under Section 509 of the IPC but certain amendments are needed to precisely define 'gestures' and objectionable words. 

Sources feel amendments are needed to remove ambiguity in the law so that cops can improve their prospects of securing a conviction against offenders. 

At present, Section 509 says, "Whoever intending to insult the modesty of any woman, utters any word, makes any sound or gesture, or exhibits any object, intending that such word or sound be heard, or that gesture shall be seen by such woman, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both."
Link: Govt set to clear lifelong jail for rape and murder

Jan 18, 2013: Gang rape was turning point for us: Delhi Police commissioner

TNN | Jan 18, 2013, 07.08 PM IST

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police commissioner on Friday said the brutal gang-rape of a woman was the turning point for police in the national capital. 

The Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar said that the "horrifying" incident galvanised the police force into focusing entirely on women's safety. 

"This incident was the turning point in the history of the (Delhi) police force. This case has given a new direction to the criminal justice system of India and our focus will be women's safety," Kumar said at the annual press conference of Delhi Police. 

"This ( Delhi gang rape) was the most horrifying case in the history of Delhi Police. This year the focus of Delhi Police will be entirely on the safety of women," he added. 

According to Delhi Police, rape cases shot up by 23.43 per cent with the capital registering 706 such cases in comparison to 2011, which witnessed 572 cases. 

He said that out of the 760 rape cases, 680 were committed by people known to the victims. 

Besides, 727 cases of women being molested were reported in 2012, while the figure was 657 in 2011. 

The conference started with Kumar and his colleagues mourning the death of the woman who died in a Singapore hospital December 29.
Link: Gang rape was turning point for us: Delhi Police commissioner

Jan 10, 2013: Go straight home from school, college: South-East Delhi police's advice for girls

Edited by Prasad Sanyal | Updated: January 10, 2013 20:54 IST

New Delhi: Girls should go "straight home" from schools and colleges, say posters placed by the South-East Delhi district police today outside educational institutions. 

Not all the recommendations on the posters are controversial- they suggest that girls inform their families about where they're headed.  A note with the student's address and contact number should be placed inside bags.  But the Delhi Police said it had not authorized the signs, and that they had been put up as part of "an awareness drive" by cops in South Delhi.  

The posters will only create a sense of alarm, said Nirmala Sitharaman, the spokesperson for the opposition BJP.

The Delhi Police is notoriously ineffective and insensitive when dealing with complaints filed by women. The list of Dos and Don'ts put up today underscores for many the inability of the police to offer better security for women by suggesting they help themselves.

Last month, a young student was raped by a group of men on a bus in Delhi. She was travelling with a male friend who tried to defend her when the men began harassing her.  They responded with an iron rod, striking the couple repeatedly before taking turns to rape the girl.  An hour later, the couple was flung onto the road, naked and bleeding. For two weeks, the girl fought for her life but was unable to survive the vast and severe injuries inflicted on her.

Thousands of protesters, most of them students, lined the streets of Delhi, demanding that the capital be made safer for women, blaming the government and police for being apathetic to crimes against women, and seeking new tough laws to punish sexual offenders.
Link: Go straight home from school, college: South-East Delhi police's advice for girls

Jan 8, 2013: SP leader Abu Azmi endorses RSS chief, says western culture to blame for rapes

IANS | Jan 8, 2013, 08.15 PM IST

MUMBAI: Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi said on Tuesday that western culture had ruined Indian culture and led to increasing atrocities on women including rapes.

"Young girls and women must not roam around with any men except their parents, brothers or husband," Azmi said here.

"Having boyfriends and girlfriends has become a fashion in cities. This is why incidence of rapes is higher in urban areas compared to rural parts of the country," he added.

Azmi endorsed RSS leader Mohan Bhagwat, who last week expressed similar sentiments.

Asked if he supported the RSS chief's views, Azmi said: "When he is saying is something right. I cannot say he is wrong.

"If he calls the sun the sun or the moon the moon, I cannot say he is wrong just because of our political differences."

Saying that "we are all proud of our Indian culture and values", Azmi added that women in Rajasthan were always veiled. But when young women go out skimpily dressed, they attract attention and face risks.

"Such nudity must be banned. The censor board must not clear movies having explicit scenes which embarrass families watching them together.

"Women from rural India with knowledge of Indian culture must be inducted into the censor board," Azmi said.

Azmi felt that capital punishment for rape could be "misused by girls and innocent men could be hanged".

"Even if there is a consensual relationship and it turns sour later, girls could resort to blackmail and men would still be punished."
Link: SP leader Abu Azmi endorses RSS chief, says western culture to blame for rapes

Jan 7, 2013: Gender studies will soon be taught in schools: Pallam Raju

TNN | Jan 7, 2013, 02.51 AM IST

KOCHI: Gender sensitization and respect towards woman will soon be taught in schools. Union human resource development minister M M Pallam Raju said here on Sunday that he would talk to NCERT to include these aspects in the national curriculum framework. 

This comes amid rising concern that the crimes against women are increasing in the country due to lack of respect for women. 

"This should become an integral part of our growing up and I believe that a society that has no basis for such values is as good as a dead society," said Raju. He said he would try to bring in aspects of gender sensitization, respect towards woman and value education within the national curriculum framework. 

"When we were growing up, our role models were our parents and teachers. But today kids are exposed to television, their peers and technology and so there are multiple inputs infringing on a child's mind. So it becomes all the more important to focus on gender sensitization and values either through the school system or through institutional system like the NCC," he said. 

Raju said experts would have to decide the age from which students could be taught gender sensitivity and values in schools. 

He also asked University Grants Commission to ensure a safer university campus for women. "I have asked the UGC chairman to write to all universities to bring in stronger practices and adopt zero tolerance towards inappropriate behaviour towards women, besides emphasizing on gender sensitization and making the campuses safer for women," he added.
Link: Gender studies will soon be taught in schools: Pallam Raju

Jan 6, 2013: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind calls for abolition of co-education

PTI | Jan 6, 2013, 11.17 PM IST

NEW DELHI: Execution of rapists in full public glare, abolition of co-education and "sober and dignified" dress for girls are among the 11 suggestions made by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind(JIH) to Justice JS Verma committee on ensuring safety and security to women. 

In a statement, JIH said it welcomed the government decision to set up committees to review the present anti-rape law and find out measures to make the society safe for the women against the backdrop of the gang-rape of a 23-year-old girl in Delhi. 

It expressed hope the committees will reach the root of the "disease" and find out the cure. The organization gave 11 suggestions to the three-member panel, which has been asked by the government to submit its report in a month. 

"There should be provision for capital punishment for heinous crimes such as rape. These punishments should be given in public and there should be opportunity for people to witness the same so that it might act as deterrent to such heinous crimes. 

"Co-education should be abolished and proper education facilities meant exclusively for women should be available at all level of education. Educational institutions should prescribe sober and dignified dress for girls," the statement said. 

The JIH also suggested that physically intimacy should only be permitted to those who are married. 

"All sex outside marriage including live-in-relationship should be declared illegal and punishable," the statement issued by Nusrat Ali, secretary general of JIH, said. 

The organization was of the view that proper transport facilities for woman should be made available particularly in towns and cities, and police reforms should be implemented at the earliest.
Link: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind calls for abolition of co-education

Jan 6, 2013: Bureaucrats seek zero tolerance towards petty crimes against women

By Vishwa Mohan, TNN | Jan 6, 2013, 09.57 PM IST

NEW DELHI: If police want to prevent rapes, they will have to show zero tolerance towards petty crimes against women - especially offences like lewd remarks, gesture, sound or act that are aimed at insulting the modesty of a woman. The suggestion, which includes amendment to theJuvenile Justice (JJ) Act to lower the age bar for defining juveniles from 18 to 16 years, came as part of the 35 key points that emerged during the brainstorming of top bureaucrats who had gathered here on Friday to discuss how to deal with crime against women.

Most of them, including directors general of police (DGPs) and chief secretaries of states, argued that such petty offenders — if remain unpunished — would graduate to hardened criminals, who indulge in heinous crimes like rape.

They said that since the provisions to punish such offenders were there in the law under Section 509 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), it was needed to implement it strictly by bringing certain amendments in the existing legislation like defining the gestures and cataloguing in detail the meaning of objectionable words.

They felt that amendments are needed to remove ambiguity in the law so that police can secure conviction in cases against offenders.

The Section 509 says, "Whoever intending to insult the modesty of any woman, utters any word, makes any sound or gesture, or exhibits any object, intending that such word or sound be heard, or that gesture shall be seen by such woman, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both".

The home ministry, which had called the meeting in the wake of public outrage over the December 16 gang-rape incident, has enlisted this suggestion as one of the key points under the 'crime prevention' category.

Other points, which emerged during the day-long meeting, include amendment to the JuvenileJustice (JJ) Act to lower the age bar for defining juveniles from 18 to 16 years and also to introduce a concept of grading punishment based on magnitude of offences.

This point was discussed in the light of the December 16 incident. One of the six accused, who was the most brutal in the group, in this case is a juvenile and many fear that he may escape with a lighter punishment for the crime, thanks to his age.

Officials also discussed introduction of punishment provisions for juveniles where the convicted ones have to remain in remand home, half-way jail or regular prison depending on age and magnitude of offence.

Besides suggesting higher punishment for rapists (few pitched for even death penalty, though it eluded consensus), DGPs and chief secretaries also recommended doing away with the provision of discretion in grant of bail when there is presumption of an offence having been committed. In addition, they said, there should be no adjournments once a trial starts with day-to-day hearing.

Sources in the home ministry said that all these points would be examined further in consultation with various stakeholders like police, judiciary, NGOs, civil societies and other experts. Some of the relevant points would be passed on to the Justice (retired) J S Verma Committee for its recommendation to the government.

The Verma panel was set up on December 23 to look into the possible amendments to the criminal law to ensure quicker trial and enhanced punishment for criminals, accused of committing sexual assault of extreme nature against women.

Other suggestions include setting up fast-track courts, making available women prosecutors and judges, consideration of victim's choice in selecting prosecutor, audio/video recording of complaints or FIRs, creation of national database of sexual offenders, strengthening of forensic capabilities, reserving posts for women in police, coming out with more elaborate standard operating procedures for investigation, defining timeframe for filing chargesheet, focusing on community policing (police-citizens coordination in crime prevention), establishing single helpline for women across the country and bringing placement (for jobs like drivers, cleaners, conductors etc.) agencies under law among others.

All these suggestions are categorized by the home ministry under six broad heads like crime prevention, changes in law, police organization, women safety, investigation process and trial.

Officials felt that reluctance of women to join police force can be dealt with reserving posts for them. They also suggested posting of one deputy SP as nodal officer for crime against women in every district and one additional DG as nodal officer in every state.

Introduction of gender sensitization as part of the curriculum if not done in police training schools and colleges, increasing number of response vehicles (PCR), starting women PCRs, 'Mahila' help desk in all police stations across the country, setting up more women police stations, fitting GPS system in buses across the nation and setting up care centres for women, who have no place to go at night, with the help of NGOs are some of the other points that were suggested during the meeting.
Link: Bureaucrats seek zero tolerance towards petty crimes against women

Jan 04, 2013: Rapes occur in India, not Bharat, says RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

Edited by Shamik Ghosh | Updated: January 04, 2013 18:28 IST

New Delhi: In defiance of statistics, Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the right-wing RSS or Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), believes that rapes are an urban crime shaped by westernisation, and are not a matter of concern in rural India where traditional values are upheld.

The RSS is the ideological mentor of the main opposition party, the BJP. Mr Bhagwat's remarks were shredded by activists and other political parties, but the BJP offered no criticism.
Describing the controversy as "uncalled for", the party's spokesperson said that Mr Bhagwat "was referring to India's sanskar, tradition and value system where respect for women occupies a pride of place."

In Assam yesterday, Mr Bhagwat said, "Crimes against women happening in urban India are shameful. It is a dangerous trend. But such crimes won't happen in 'Bharat' or the rural areas of the country. You go to villages and forests of the country and there will be no such incidents of gang-rape or sex crimes."

He added, "Where 'Bharat' becomes 'India' with the influence of western culture, these type of incidents happen. The actual Indian values and culture should be established at every stratum of society where women are treated as 'mother'." 

"Mohan Bhagwat doesn't know either India or Bharat," said Brinda Karat, a CPM politburo member. "The largest number of rapes occur in rural areas on Dalits, tribals and rural workers. Such statements give confidence to criminals." (Read: Who said what)

Mr Bhagwat's comments come at a time when the death of a young medical student, who was gang-raped in Delhi, has impelled introspection on attitudes towards women in a country where a rape is reported nearly every 20 minutes. 

But in Madhya Pradesh, a minister in the BJP government demonstrated the proclivity among politicians to blame women for the crimes against them. "One has to abide by certain moral limits. If you cross this limit, you will be punished, just like Sita was abducted by Ravana," said the minister, Kailash Vijayvargiya.(Watch - Women who cross 'Lakshman rekha' invite trouble, says BJP minister) 

In his case, the BJP said it did not agree with his remarks and ordered that they be withdrawn. The minister acquiesced.
Link: Rapes occur in India, not Bharat, says RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat | NDTV.com:

'via Blog this'

Jan 1, 2013: Delhi women gun for licences; rape triggers big rush to acquire arms

By Dwaipayan Ghosh, TNN | Jan 1, 2013, 01.01 AM IST

NEW DELHI: The horrific attack on Nirbhaya has led to a spurt in requests for gun licences from women. Since December 18, the day the news of the brutal gang rape appeared in newspapers, the licensing department of Delhi Police has received a total of 274 applications from women. In addition, it has also been flooded with hundreds of queries on how to obtain a licence.

"We have received over 1,200 calls since that day. These include not only the average working woman, but even students who travel long distances to colleges and even their concerned parents. They were eager to find out more on the procedure to acquire arms," said a Delhi police officer.

Delhi police sources say hundreds more had turned up at their office itself. "We had to patiently tell them that one needs to have a clear danger to one's life to be given a licence. However, some of the parents were not happy with our replies. They said that with even public transport no longer safe in the city, they just cannot take chances. When we told them this could not be reason enough, we were told to give in writing that their daughters were indeed safe on Delhi's roads," said a source.

20% increase in self-defense classes in city

A member of the National Association for Gun Rights India claimed women were discriminated against. "Men are issued more gun licences than women in Delhi even if the later have genuine reasons to apply for them," said a member. "The fact that even parents are ready to hand over weapons to their daughters shows they are living in fear. There is a 20% increase in self-defence courses across the city," added the source.

In the past two years, Delhi cops have received over 800 applications for guns from women. While the year 2010 saw around 320 applications, the figure had risen to around 500 in 2011. But it's not only the numbers that's a break from the past. There's a change as well in the reasons cited. "Women earlier mostly cited the inheritance clause -- saying their fathers or husbands had a licence which they want to continue holding. Many women applying under this clause were proxies for men. But of late women are citing 'self-defence' to apply for a licence," said an officer in the licencing department.

In general, 20-22% of all applicants are now women. Since the past two weeks, the percentage has shot up to around 35%. The officer said 27 licences were issued to women in 2010. Of these, 17 applied under the inheritance clause. Till July this year, five women were granted licences for personal threats. In 2010 and 2011, over 600 applications were rejected as no "personal safety threat was assessed".
Delhi women gun for licences; rape triggers big rush to acquire arms

Jan 1, 2013: Chief Justice of India to inaugurate Fast-track court tomorrow for 'Amanat'

Edited by Shamik Ghosh | Updated: January 01, 2013 20:54 IST

New Delhi: A Fast-track Court in Saket will hear the gang-rape and murder case of the 23-year-old medical student in a day-to-day trial. The court will be inaugurated tomorrow evening by the Chief Justice of India. The Delhi Police is putting together a 1000-page chargesheet, which it plans to submit in the magistrate court in Saket on Thursday. The case will then be moved to the Fast-track court.

The Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court had said last month that all cases related to crimes against women in the city would be handled by the Fast-track courts. The other Fast-track courts will function at Dwarka, Rohini and Tis Hazari. All these courts will start functioning from January 3.

'Amanat' (NOT her real name) was raped and brutally assaulted with an iron rod on December 16 in a moving bus in south Delhi by six drunk men. She died on Saturday in a Singapore hospital, where she was shifted to last week. All six accused have been arrested.
The unabated monstrosity of the attack on Amanat has walloped India, stirring anger and protests, with thousands pledging to fight in her memory for better safety for women and tougher laws for those convicted of rape.

Activists have pointed out the need for fast-track trials for rape cases to counter the perception that the notoriously slow legal system allows those accused of sexual and other crimes to escape punishment.
Link: Chief Justice of India to inaugurate Fast-track court tomorrow for 'Amanat'

Jan 1, 2013: Jayalalithaa demands death penalty for rapists; announces steps to check sexual crimes against women

Edited by Mala Das | Updated: January 01, 2013 12:37 IST

Chennai: As India mourns the death of the 23-year-old medical student who was brutally gang-raped in Delhi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa has demanded harsher punishment, including "death penalty and chemical castration" for those accused of rape. She has also announced a series of steps to check and tackle cases of sexual crimes against women in the state and ensuring their safety.

In a 13-point action plan that was unveiled today, Ms Jayalalithaa said steps will be taken to set up Fast Track Mahila Courts in each district in the state to expedite hearing of cases of sexual assault. "Daily hearing shall be conducted in all such sexual abuse cases to finish trial fast... the government counsel in such cases will all be women," the chief minister said. Incidents of sexual assault will be treated as a grave crime and top police officials would probe them, she added.

The chief minister also said that enquiry in all pending cases of sexual abuse shall be expedited and a report will be submitted in 15 days. 
Even as a panel set up by the Centre reviews changes in the existing laws to provide for stricter punishment for sexual offenders, Ms Jayalalithaa said that she would request the government to make necessary changes in the law to provide death penalty and chemical castration to those involved in such crimes. "The Centre will be requested to amend the laws to ensure the maximum punishment of death penalty and chemical castration for those responsible for rapes. The offence should also be made non-bailable," the Chief Minister said.

The state government has also issued orders to put in place close-circuit television (CCTV) sets in all public buildings to identify those who trouble women, she said. Police personnel in plainclothes would be deployed at market places and colleges to ensure the safety of women.

Besides meeting the entire medical expenses of women who suffered sexual assault, efforts would also be made for their rehabilitation, the Chief Minister said.

The move comes in the wake of a wave of protests across the country - with Delhi serving as the epicentre - after Amanat (NOT her real name) was beaten with an iron rod and raped by six men on a moving bus on December 16. She died on Saturday morning at a hospital in Singapore. The incident stirred a series of demonstrations with students and activists demanding tougher punishment for rapists as well as steps to ensuring the safety of women.   (With PTI inputs)
Link: Jayalalithaa demands death penalty for rapists; announces steps to check sexual crimes against women

Dec 31, 2012: Woman in distress? Dial 181, Delhi government's 24x7 helpline

Press Trust of India | Updated: December 31, 2012 08:46 IST

New Delhi: The Delhi government today launched a round-the-clock helpline '181' for helping women in distress.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had announced the setting up of this helpline last week following widespread protests in the city in the wake of the brutal gang-rape of 23-year-old medical student 'Amanat '(NOT her real name). After battling for her life for 13 days, the girl died in a Singapore hospital on Saturday.

The helpline will operate from the Chief Minister's office in Delhi Secretariat and will be connected with all the 185 police stations across the city.

Mrs Dikshit had requested Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal to allot a three-digit helpline number for helping women. The Ministry had earlier allotted '167' as the helpline but following a request for a number that would be easier to recollect, it was changed to '181'.

This is the first three-digit number to have been allotted by the Telecom Ministry in two years.
Link: Woman in distress? Dial 181, Delhi government's 24x7 helpline

Dec 06, 2012: People involved in crimes against women to be booked under National Security Act in Uttar Pradesh

Edited by Samira Shaikh | Updated: December 06, 2012 18:47 IST

Lucknow: In a bid to check instances of crimes against women in the state, the Uttar Pradesh government today said offenders will be booked under the stringent National Security Act(NSA). As per the act, police is allowed to keep the accused under preventive detention for up to 12 months.

Principal Secretary of the Home Department, R M Shrivastava, said that people involved in crimes like rape, kidnapping, sexual harassment of women will be booked under the NSA,

On November 15, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav inaugurated the Women's Power phone helpline '1090', which can be accessed from anywhere in the state, to report instances of eve-teasing, crank calls and other forms of harassment faced by the women the state. 

Deputy Inspector General of police, Navneet Sikera, said the helpline was largely aimed at counselling first-time offenders; if the offences continued, police would initiate legal measures against repeat offenders.

Offenders, who do not mend their ways after the counselling, will not be able given a character certificate, passport or driving license, he added. 
Link: People involved in crimes against women to be booked under National Security Act in Uttar Pradesh

Nov 4, 2012: Muslim college in Kanpur makes veil, scarf compulsory for girls, bans cellphones

Isha Jain, TNN | Nov 4, 2012, 09.56PM IST

LUCKNOW: In a Talibani diktat of sorts, a girls' college in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur city has made scarf and veil compulsory for students. The school has also banned mobile phones inside the campus. 

According to reports, the Muslim Jubilee Girls Inter College management has decided to strictly enforce the new rules with immediate effect and has warned that those found violating the directive would be expelled. The college administration justified its decision saying that it would curb incidents of eve-teasing and would promote Islamic culture among students. 

A member of the society that runs the school said, "What's wrong in putting on scarf. We see a majority of the students who put on the veils voluntarily. An additional scarf will not harm them," adding that in Islamic countries, girls always put on scarf which reflects the Islamic culture. 

Against the ban on mobile phones for the girls, the members said that that in case of an emergency, the girls can contact the school principal who will help them speak to their family members. Many girls, however, opposed the decision. "Cellphones are for our own safety ... we can keep in touch with our family in times of emergency," they said. They felt that the scarf should not be made compulsory. 

Only recently, a college in Bulandshahar district had directed its students to shun wearing jeans and capris on the campus in an attempt to check growing incidents of harassment and molestation of girls. In another diktat issued recently, 'all women panchayat' in the Muzaffarnagar district had decided to ban jeans voluntarily and pledged not to grow nails. 

Another prestigious college in Varanasi had directed the girl students not to wear 'provocative dresses' as they 'vitiate' atmosphere on the campus.
Link: Muslim college in Kanpur makes veil, scarf compulsory for girls, bans cellphones