The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear a PIL filed by a former woman IAS officer seeking directions to the government to ensure safety of women and conducting fast-track court proceedings in all rape cases.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir will hear on Thursday the PIL which also sought suspension of MPs and MLAs in case a charge sheet is filed against them for crime against women.
In her PIL, retired IAS officer Promilla Shanker has pleaded with the court to direct the government to set up fast-track courts in all states for speedy trial of rape cases.
She also submitted that cases of rape and crime against women and children be investigated by lady police officials and trial be conducted by lady judges.
Meanwhile, another bench comprising justices P. Sathasivam and Ranjan Gogoi issued notices to the Centre and all the states and sought their response on another PIL by advocate Mukesh Kumar seeking safety measures for women.
Mr. Kumar, in his PIL, demanded creation of women police stations in every town to investigate complaints of rape and sexual assault against women.
It also sought steps for implementation of U.N. convention on elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.
The court asked the Centre and the states to file their responses in four weeks.
The PILs come in the backdrop of the nation-wide outrage over December 16 brutal gang-rape and assault of a 23-year-old woman in Delhi, who died in a Singapore hospital on December 29.
Keywords: Delhi gang-rape, Supreme Court, speedy trials, fast-track courts, lady police stations, public interest litigation, discrimination against women, Delhi protest, Rajpath protests
Petioner demand of setting up fast tract court is agreeable and gets support. But suspenstion of MP’s and MLA’s of accusation of crime against women is tough to accept for the political parties and government (Central and state level). Parties knew that going to get dangerous if ignored such politicians and support such laws in the parliament. Need to strengthen Election Commission in order to bring stringent policies in contesting of elections (all three tier democracy). We should have the law of must barred candidate contenstign election with any kind of criminal offence to clean the electoral system. But it is difficult to digest how people staying behind bars contesting election and winning. And also bring the law that once court gives verdict on their alleged ciriminal charges automatically suspension of their elected representative status.
With lawmakers facing criminal and rape charges,casting votes in Parliament to
"save or defeat" No-Confidence Motions in Parliament, it is hardly surprising that
there is no agreement on calling a special session of the August House to discuss
the atrocities on women. The recent rape of the class XI school girl on the night of
Dec 31, 2012 in Delhi itself is frightening.If such atrocities can happen in Delhi,
what about other cities and towns,not to speak of villages around the country.The
stand taken by Congress of calling the special session only after the Varma
Commission submits its report is creating an impression that the party is trying to
preempt the commission in recommending death penalty to rapists with the party
advocating only castration and 30 years RI for rapists.If that be the case, what is
the purpose of appointing this commission. Already,there are innumerable number
of commission reports gathering dust.The SC hearing the PIL is welcome to push
the govt to act fast.
Many thanks Promilla Shanker for taking the initiative.
Not only these kind of cases, all kinds of assaults, even domestic violence against women should be taken very very seriously. No human being can claim himself as an human being if he don't know how to behave with his mothers and sisters. Any kind of disrespect or improper behavior with women is an act against humanity and those involved in such acts must be severely punished immediately and such is possible only if these cases are taken up on priority basis and justice delivered without delays. I hope active involvement of the Supreme Court will speed up this process.
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