New Delhi: Facing public ire over the recent cases of rape of minors in the national capital, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejirwal, Monday, announced the formation of a Group of Ministers (GoM) to examine enhancing punishment for those found guilty of raping minors.
Addressing a press conference after a meeting of the cabinet, Kejriwal said the newly-formed panel under the leadership of Law Minister Manish Sisodia will examine new measures being mooted by the state government.
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Among the recommendations is life imprisonment and death penalty in all cases of rape of minors, lowering the age bar for juvenile criminals to 15 years and holding the investigation team accountable if there is a delay in filing of chargesheet.
“We are planning to fast-track rape cases in Delhi. Direction will be given to forensic labs to fast-track cases involving incident s of rape,” he said.
The CM also said that directions have been given to check whether there are rape cases pending in th courts for lack of public prosecutors, adding that the government will employ special prosecutors in all such cases.
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Setting up of special police stations for women is also among the recommendations.
Expressing concern over the delay in delivery of justice to rape victims, Kejirwal said that his government will hold consultations with the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court to provide all necessary infrastructure so as to ensure that such cases expedited.
"The Cabinet will look into these recommendations and come up with a proposal paper in 15 days," he said.
On why there has been a rise in crime against women in Delhi, Kejriwal said one reason why attacks on women was on the rise in Delhi was because criminals had no fear of the law.
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"I don't think all the bad people live only in Delhi, and that people living in places like Kolkata, New York, London or Varanasi are saints. It is just that the fear of law is not there in Delhi."
"Rapists know nothing will happen to them, " Kejriwal said.
