After several cases of rape came to light in Bangalore and other parts of the State in the past few days, the State government on Friday decided to strengthen the Goonda Act and set up 10 more fast-track courts to try sexual assault cases. The decisions were taken during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Home Minister K.J. George and senior police officials, including City Police Commissioner Raghavendra H. Auradkar, attended the meeting held at the Chief Minister’s residence, ‘Krishna’.
Briefing presspersons on the decisions taken at the meeting, Mr. George said a proposal to amend the Goonda Act has been submitted to the Law Department. Police officials have been instructed to file first information reports against suspects in sexual assault cases. Senior police officials have been asked to hold review meetings by visiting police stations in their jurisdictions to tone up police responsibilities, he added.The meeting also decided that 10 more fast-track courts should be established for facilitating speedy disposal of cases. Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T.B. Jayachandra is in talks with Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court D.H. Waghela on the issue, said Mr. George.Besides, 10 more all-women police stations will come up in the State by the next year. On stepping up of police patrolling in the city, he said: “This system was off the radar because the Police Department had felt that it was unnecessarily scaring people. But now it will be revived to keep a check on anti-social elements.” And, as a Supreme Court order has put a restriction on the use of red beacons, Hoysalas will have multi-coloured beacons, Mr. George added.
“An exclusive cell headed by the deputy commissioner of police will be established for monitoring patrolling. Helpline number will be well publicised so that women can access and familiarise themselves with the number,” Mr. George said.
Besides recruiting 2,500 sub-inspectors by August-end, he said more number of Hoysalas and cheetah vehicles will be pressed into service soon. And, CCTV cameras will be installed in all police stations. School incident Mr. George said that the government will act against the management of the private school where the incident of rape of a six-year-old child came to light on July 14.
“It happened on July 2 and the complaint was lodged on July 14. The school is responsible for the delay in reporting the incident,” the Home Minister said, adding that the police have zeroed in on the suspects and they will be arrested soon.
