Acting swiftly in the matter of gang-rape of a woman in a moving bus in South Delhi, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday spoke to Chief Justice of Delhi High Court Darmar Murugesan and demanded setting up of five special fast track courts to deal with such cases of crime against women.
Talking to The Hindu , Ms. Dikshit said, “I spoke to Justice Murugesan and my demands are two: we set up five fast track courts to try this gang-rape case and all such cases of heinous crimes against women; and we should not allow the culprits in such cases to get easy bail.”
The Chief Minister said a written communication has also been sent to the Delhi High Court in this regard. “We want to institutionalise the system of fast track disposal of cases when such crimes take place against women.”
Ms. Dikshit said in order to provide security to women in Delhi; to deal with the cases of sexual assault on them; and to provide justice through speedy conviction of the guilty, the Delhi Government had approved setting up of five such courts. “I have urged Justice Murugesan to ensure early setting up of such courts as these have not yet been made functional despite a communication of approval of the courts sent to the High Court in October this year.”
The Chief Minister said denial of bail in cases of heinous crimes against women will also act as a strong deterrent. She said the Delhi Government, which provides funding for the courts, will be willing to extend any support in making the fast track courts functional at the earliest.
Pointing out that she has also sought an appointment with Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde to discuss the issue, Ms. Dikshit said she is also in constant touch with the Delhi Police Commissioner on the issue. It is expected that chairman and members of Delhi Women Commission would also accompany Ms. Dikshit during her meeting with Union Home Minister.
“For Delhi, it is also about managing such crimes when it has open and porous borders with the neighbouring States. We want a mechanism whereby we can install safeguards to protect our citizens and ensure that people are not able to get away after committing crime here.”
On whether presence of woman judges and lawyers in fast track courts would help, the Chief Minister said, “Only the right mechanism needs to be there.”
