Chennai: The Madras HC has ordered notice to the state government on a Public Interest Litigation, which sought a direction to authorities to draw up a scheme to establish counseling centres in each of the police stations in state for women to handle internet porno offences covered under Information Technology Act.
A division bench comprising Justices S. Manikumar and Subramonium Prasad posted to June 13, further hearing of PIL by Krishnapriya Foundation of Chennai.
Referring to Pollachi sexual abuse scam, the petitioner in its petition said the four accused involved in the scam had sexually harassed more than 50 women all over TN for over two years. The accused met the victims, lured them and carried out their sexual attacks in moving vehicles, hotels and in a farm house. One of the victims with a belief that her identity would be protected had approached the police and lodged a complaint.
However, her name was revealed by the police. The state home department and the DGP have acted in an indiscreet manner and as such violated section 228 A of IPC, the petitioner added.
Petitioner said the government should impart training and conduct workshops for the police in order to sensitize them to trauma faced by victims. It was necessary to establish special courts for women for fast tracking the cases.
It was just and necessary for the educational institutions to conduct workshops and awareness programmes and constitute strict disciplinary committees to deal exclusively with these offences.
Moreover, the punishment for the offences should be very stringent, the petitioner added.
