New Delhi: A day after the crackdown on protesters at India Gate, the government has decided to constitute a committee of eminent jurists to have a relook at the existing rape laws. It will examine possible amendments to the criminal law which will bring about quicker trials in rape cases.
The panel will also study enhanced punishment for criminals who have been accused of committing sexual assault of extreme nature against women. In a statement, the government said, "Shri Justice (Retd) JS Verma, former Chief Justice of India will be the Chairman of the committee. Smt.Justice (Retd) Leila Seth, former Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh and Shri Gopal Subramaniam, former Solicitor General of India will be the other members. The committee shall submit its report within 30 days."
"In the light of the recent incident, the Government has given anxious consideration to the need for reviewing the present laws so as to provide for speedier justice and enhanced punishment in cases of aggravated sexual assault," the statement added.
Earlier on Sunday, the Central Government assured of strictest action in the case. Minister of State for Home RPN Singh while talking to IBN18 Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai said, "Fast-track courts will be set up with day-to-day hearing. The case will be started in the next 48-72 hours. We have made the commitment in the morning. We are going to make Delhi safer."
Singh apologised to the protesters for the police action but added that anti-social elements were trying to indulge in violence. "We have inputs on elements behind the violence today. I apologise to both young boys and girls who got beaten up, but lumpen elements were behind the violence that erupted at India Gate. I want to assure the people that culprits will not get away. Strict action will be taken against senior officers of Delhi Police if they are found to be lacking in taking responsibility," said Singh.
His statement came just a few hours after thousands of protesters were forcefully evicted from India Gate by Delhi Police. The police resorted to lathicharge, fired teargas shells and used water cannons against the protesters, some of whom had clashed with the security forces. The protesters, who have been demanding justice for the 23-year-old survivor of the brutal gangrape and vicious physical assault in a moving bus by a group of men, accused the police of using brute force and demanded Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar's resignation.
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