Amid the national outrage over rape cases, the lone woman Minister in the State, Shobha Karandlaje, urged Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar to take steps to establish separate wings in all police stations in urban areas so that women could file complaints.
Separate wings
She also demanded that the government designate an officer to handle women’s complaints in urban police stations. Separate wings should also be set up at one police station in each taluk in rural areas to create a conducive atmosphere for women to visit police stations and file complaints.
In a three-page letter on Wednesday to Mr. Shettar, Ms. Karandlaje said 15 rape cases were registered in the State in the last two months and there were instances where the police had hushed up cases to protect influential persons. The police have been neglecting complaints filed by women and there was a need to amend the laws to provide stringent punishment to the accused in rape cases, she said. The government should take women’s security as a priority and give special attention to cases of rape, she said.
The Karnataka State Women’s Commission (KSWC) should be strengthened and empowered to enable it to play a proactive role to safeguard women’s interests, the Minister said.
CCTVs
She also demanded installation of CCTVs at all police stations to ensure transparency in registration of cases. With regard to rape cases, permanent compensation should be given to women and a share in the property of a person involved in the case.
