NEW DELHI: Describing the rising incidents of violence against women as "traumatic", Women and Child Development Minister Krishna Tirath said Wednesday that all cases of rape must be tried by fast track courts.
"It is traumatic for members of civil society to get to know through the media that atrocities against women, including rape cases, are taking place in UP, in Delhi as well as in the entire length and breadth of India," Tirath said Wednesday.
The minister called for immediate filing of first information reports (FIR) and speedy trials.
"FIR in all cases should be immediately recorded. Any delay, dilatory tactics, soft pedalling or procrastination must invite exemplary penal action. For instance, any police official not writing the FIR in the cases of atrocities against women must be suspended forthwith," she said in a statement.
"Secondly, all cases of rape must be tried through fast track courts, that is hearings must be on day-to-day basis. Instant redressals of cases on day-to-day basis at the judicial and administrative level will have a telling effect and improve the environment in favour of women providing them due security and status," the minister added.
The comments came after five rape and molestation cases were reported in Delhi within 48 hours, from July 1-3. Several rape and molestation incidents have also been reported from neighbouring Uttar Pradesh. These include a 14-year-old being murdered at a police station and another instance of a girl being blinded while resisting a rape attempt.
"The incidents of rape and atrocities go directly opposite to the policy of the government and, therefore, these require to be handled swiftly and firmly," Tirath said.
"This needs to be administratively followed and if necessary legally pursued, I am determined to pursue this at appropriate levels," she said.
