SHILLONG, JAN 2: The Civil Society Women’s Organization (CSWO) on Wednesday demanded life terms for rapists/molesters and monetary fine for police officers who deny help to rape victims.
In a letter to the Justice J. S. Verma Committee, which was set up by the Centre last month to recommend stringent laws on crime against women, the NGO said in most instances, especially in rural Meghalaya, the police at best make half-hearted attempt to help rape victims. ““The police, especially in the rural areas, do not give a copy of the FIR to the victim. Many a time the police do not assist the illiterate victim or their relatives,” said the letter signed by CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing.
The three-member Justice Verma Committee was set up following the brutal rape and murder of a young girl in Delhi in the middle of December. Its mandate is to review the present statute so as to provide for speedier justice and enhanced punishment in cases of aggravated sexual assault. The committee has to submit its report in 30 days.
“We recommend a personal fine of Rs 50,000 to be paid to the victim by the officer in-charge or the second in-charge of the concerned police station if any of his staff fails to give a signed copy of the FIR to a rape victim or her family, or fails to render help in writing the FIR when they come to the police station to lodge their complaint,” said the letter.
The NGO also suggested that a charge-sheet in cases involving rape and molestation must be filed within two months, and the states without proper forensic science laboratory (FSL) should also be held accountable and imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh, to be paid to the victim, for every delay in issuing FSL report.
The letter also alleged that the low rate of conviction in rape cases was due to corruption in the system. “We strongly recommend severe punishments to the police officers failing to follow the procedures (while investigating rape cases), to medical officers who intentionally delays and provides wrong information, and public prosecutors who intentionally miscarries rape cases,” said the NGO.
Rape cases in Meghalaya have tripled in the last decade. As against 38 recorded incidents of rape in the state in 2002, 134 such incidents took place in 2012. Other crimes against women like kidnapping, molestation and sexual harassment have also been on the rise in the state. (By Our Reporter)
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