Chennai: The government has informed the Madras high court on Thursday that a separate legislation to combat 'honour killing' is pending with the legislative department of the Union government. When a PIL came up for hearing before the first bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M. Sundar, government pleader K. Subramanian informed this before the bench. He also stated that the Centre proposed to have a consultation with the states.
Petitioner Varaaki sought for a direction to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribe, New Delhi, and to the members of state legislative Assembly to enact a new legislation to end honour killings. The government pleader requested for two weeks to implement the earlier directions of the bench regarding setting up investigative units to deal with crimes against women in select police districts under the provisions of the SC/STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015.
He also stated that a circular of memorandum dated November 4 had been sent to all police stations urging the police to take stringent measures to prevent 'honour' killings and to take stern action against those who indulge in violence and issue threats to the boys and girls, involved in inter-caste and inter-religious marriages. While closing the petition, the bench hoped that the Centre will look into the issue of the stand alone legislation on 'honour killing' at the earliest.
