Bangalore: Karnataka Government is mulling to set up fast track courts to dispose of pending cases pertaining to crime against women and also amend laws to make them even more stringent to prevent sexual assaults as it announced a dedicated helpline.
Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar said he and Deputy Chief Minister R Ashok, also Home Minister, have held several meetings on stringent laws to deal with crime against women.
“We have discussed what measures need to be taken, including amendments to existing laws… we will take a final decision soon. The law should act as a deterrent to prevent crime on women. We are also contemplating to set up fast track courts to dispose pending cases. We are at it..,” he said.
Earlier, Ashok announced the setting up of a dedicated phone helpline “1091” which can be called by women in distress and those facing threat of sexual abuse.
The 24×7 helpline would be functional in the city and soon extended to other parts of the state, he told reporters.
The government initiative comes in the backdrop of the national outrage over the gang rape of para-medical student in Delhi and several incidents of rapes in the state in the past fortnight.
Ashok sought to sidestep queries on the letter by Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje, the lone woman representative in the BJP Ministry, seeking surgical castration for rapists and also blaming police laxity in dealing with rape cases.
He also said police have issued an “advisory” to all the BPO firms and IT firms employing women staff to inform the government about the steps they have initiated for security of women in their establishments.
He said all BPO, MNCs and IT companies have been directed to maintain a record of details about drivers and installation of GPS system in all vehicles is mandatory.
At least 20 rape cases have been reported in the last two months in the state, Karandlaje said adding “I don’t know how many cases went unreported”.
On the appointment of Lokayukta in Karnataka, Shettar said while dealing with the case on the appointment of Upalokayukta, the High court made some observations, and this has been challenged in the Supreme Court.
“It is posted for orders. Till the Supreme Court comes out with its verdict on the procedure of appointing the Lokayukta, we cannot take any decision”, Shettar added. (PTI)
