The 29-member expert committee set up to make recommendations on issues related to the safety of women and children, headed by former law minister M.C. Nanaiah, has set up two separate sub-committees comprising women members and legislators to make recommendations within three months.
Mr. Nanaiah told reporters here on Tuesday that their observations and recommendations, besides those of lawyers, civil society groups, intellectuals and so on, will be taken into account before finalising the report at the end of five months.
Asked if there would be an interim report in the light of increased reported cases of sexual violence against women and children over the last month, he said, “I do not believe in interim reports because they serve no purpose.”
Inquisitorial system
Mr. Nanaiah argued that there should be greater focus on “delivery mechanism” rather than making amendments to the “already strong laws” to fight crimes against women and children.
“It is time to rethink our adversarial justice system and consider inquisitorial system as option,” said Mr. Nanaiah. While the former system involves two advocates represent their parties’ positions before a jury or judge, the inquisitorial system involves a judge or group of judges investigating the case. He said that in adversarial system the judge remains “silent spectator” even when he is aware of the truth of the case, since it is entirely evidence-based.
Speedy trial
MLC V.S. Ugrappa, a member of the committee, said that there should be amendment to ensure that charge sheet on any case related to sexual assault on women and children should be filed within 30 days and trial completed within 90 days.
