Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Tuesday said that in cases relating to crimes against women, the trial, examination of witnesses and arguments of counsel would be conducted on a daily basis.
The State government would urge the Centre to increase the period of custody of those arrested in sexual assault cases from 15 days to 30 days under the Prevention of Unlawful Activities Act. Besides, steps should be taken not to release the arrested persons on bail until the investigation is over.
Those involved in sexual assault cases should be subjected to chemical castration. Besides, maximum punishment of death penalty should be awarded to those involved.
Orientation classes about the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act and sexual offences would be conducted in the Tamil Nadu Police Academy, Police Recruitment Schools and In-service Training Centres. Besides, during these classes, police personnel would be inculcated on the need to treat victims with dignity during investigation and conducting the probe efficiently.
Round-the-clock Women’s Helpline would be set up to help the women in distress along the lines of Child Helpline. The helpline would be an integrated service involving voluntary service organisations and those concerned about safety of women, besides those who are providing training to women in distress.
During the recently concluded conference of collectors and police officers, it was directed that the GO for installing CCTVs in all public buildings should be implemented strictly. Through this measure, perpetrators of crimes against women could be identified. Personnel in plainclothes will monitor those who create trouble for women in crowded places.
Recalling that successive governments headed by her had brought many pro-women measures, Jayalalithaa said as a first-of-its-kind in the world, she had set up All-Women Police Stations in 1992 with a view to put an end to crimes against women and to protect their rights. She had also made stringent the punishments under the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act. As per this Act, the onus of proving innocence in sexual offences lies with the accused.