The rate of conviction with respect to sexual violence on women committed in Hassan district in last 10 years has been very low, said V.S. Ugrappa, who heads the committee constituted to suggest amendments to the existing laws to prevent sexual violence on women, here on Monday.
Among the 1,377 cases related to molestation (Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code), reported in the district between 2005 and 2015, conviction has been done only in eight cases, accused with respect to 702 cases were acquitted and the remaining cases are at different stages. Similarly, with regard to rape (Section 376 of the IPC), as many as 199 cases were reported in last 10 years. Among them, accused were convicted only in 12 cases.
As Additional SP Shobharani submitted these facts before the committee, Ugrappa said that the rate of conviction was very poor in the district. “If the accused in heinous crimes like this are not convicted, there would be no fear of law in society,” he said. As he wanted to know the reasons for the acquittals, Ms. Shobharani said in many cases, the witnesses turned hostile. Members of the committee suggested the district administration to take the witnesses into confidence and provide them security so that they won’t turn hostile.
