Vinit Wahi / AMN
The Delhi Cabinet has decided to call a one day session on July 28 of the Delhi Legislative Assembly to propose, discuss and pass a resolution to set up such a Commission of Enquiry with regards to the issue of women’s safety in the capital.
Justice Verma Committee which was constituted in the wake of Damini rape and murder incident, held that the existing law regarding harassment of women are not enough and thus recommended necessary amendments. Accordingly, by way of the amendment, Section 354A, 354B, 354C and 354D were added to the Indian Penal Code regarding sexual harassment and stalking of women, etc, and a number of amendments were made into the CrPC.
Though the amendments were made into the law, but unfortunately they have not been implemented in reality. The recent case of the stalking, murder and sexual harassment of Meenakashi is a glaring example of the failure of the system.
Meenakashi’s family had approached the Police several times in the last two years with complaints against the accused. The family had made a written complaint to the police in 2013 and subsequently made several complaints to the police on phone.
The Commission would enquire into these complaints and take following action:-
a) Suggest appropriate action in each of the complaints.
b) Suggest amendments to CrPC, if any required, on the basis of these complaints.
c) Recommend if action ought to be taken against officers in cases of gross negligence or collusion.
d) To recommend measures to expedite the criminal cases and prosecution.
e) To recommend measures necessary to properly implement these provisions of law and recommendations of the Justice Verma Committee and to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
