After a spurt in cases of rape and sexual assault in Bangalore and other parts of the State in the past few days, the State government has decided to open one women police station in each district.
Replying to the debate on increased number of rape and sexual assault cases in the Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said all those involved in rape and sexual assault cases against women must be punished. Senior police officials have been asked to hold review meetings in police stations in their jurisdictions and instructed to file FIRs without delay against all those involved in rape and sexual assault cases, he said.
Mr. Siddaramaiah said the Goonda Act would be strengthened after introducing suitable amendments to the Act. Now, cases under the Act were booked against all those who indulged 4-5 rape and sexual assault cases. A case was booked under the Act against a person allegedly assaulted a woman at Pulakeshinagar police station limits. However, a case cannot be booked under the Act against skating instruction of a private school at Marathahalli in Bangalore, who allegedly raped a six-year-old girl. Nearly 6,000 students are studying in the school.
Mr. Siddaramaiah said 10 more fast-track courts to try sexual assault cases would be established. Already there are 10 courts. The Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court D.H. Waghela has been requested to provide judges to fast track courts for speedy trial of cases.
Home Minister K.J. George 10 more all-women police stations would come up soon in the State. He admitted that the number of cases of rape and sexual assault increased and they gone up from 621 in 2012 to 1030 in 2013 in the State.
With regard to alleged assault on the woman at Pulakeshinagar police station limits, he said four persons have been arrested and one was escaped.
Police patrolling through Hoysalas, Cheetah and Abhaya vehicles would be stepped up in Bangalore. Helpline 1091 number will be well publicised so that women can access and familiarise themselves with the number.
Earlier, Opposition BJP demanded resignation of the Home Minister for failure to maintain law and order in the State
