New Delhi: On Monday, the Delhi government appointed a Group of Ministers to examine if existing laws can be amended to ensure the death penalty or life imprisonment for those responsible for raping minors, and to lower the cutoff age of juveniles found guilty in such cases, besides exploring the possibility of setting up special police stations.
The decision on a GoM, that will finalise its report in 15 days, was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to discuss Delhi’s law and order after the rape of two minors, including a two-and-half-year-old child.
Mr Kejriwal said a commission of inquiry would be set up within a week to examine issues on women’s safety and a list of rape cases pending in Delhi courts will be prepared.
“Since CrPC and IPC are subjects in the Concurrent List, the GoM will examine and submit a report on whether the Delhi government can set up special police stations to register and investigate crimes against women in cases where women do not get a satisfactory response from the local police stations,” Mr Kejriwal said.
He said the GoM will submit a concrete proposal so that an amendment Bill can be laid in the next Session of the Delhi Assembly. The CM said his government was ready to spend funds to set up new courts and improve existing infrastructure.
The GoM will also examine if investigating officers can be held accountable in cases of delays in the filing of chargesheets.
