Stringent laws made, yet there's no dip in crimes

1. Prominent leaders hold meeting on 'Women's protection; challenges'
2. Say crimes against women continue unabated
3. Say demanding hanging not proper as crimes against women would not come down

Himayatnagar: Former Supreme Court Judge Justice J Chalameswar observed here on Wednesday that new laws were incorporated after the Nirbhaya incident, yet, such crimes against women were continuing.

He was speaking at a meeting on 'Women's protection; challenges' in Nilam Rajashekar Reddy Research Centre, along with former CPI general secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy, national secretary K Narayana, state secretary Ch Venkat Reddy, retired IPS officer C Anjaneya Reddy, and prominent writer Volga.

The speakers pointed out that people had hailed the Warangal incident when the accused in an acid attack were killed in an encounter, while referring to public demands for immediate hanging of offenders involved in Disha's gangrape-murder case. They stated that lack of laws was not a problem in the case and that it was the basic responsibility of governments to maintain law and order. However, they felt that 'it was not better'.

The speakers stated that officials inquiring into cases and the prosecution should ensure that a tight case was built against the accused. They said there was a general feeling that if punishment was severe such incidents won't recur. They stated that the HC in united AP used to give its sentence in a criminal case within six months, whereas in the north, courts would take 30 years; 'hence there was no fear among the criminals'. The speakers favoured exertion of pressure on governments that stringent punishments were not being given.

Sudhakar Reddy criticised the police for their response towards Disha's parents, describing it as 'inhuman'. He attributed Disha-like cases to 'indiscriminate' liquor sale. 'This issue needs to be looked into deeply. The focus of the police should be on steps to control crimes, not on only arresting offenders', Reddy observed.

Anjaneya Reddy felt that it was not proper to demand hanging, as crimes would not come down with such punishment. 'But in criminal cases hanging would be deterrent and they would fall. 'Yet, have they fallen', he asked.

Volga pointed out that 15-30 women were being raped every minute in the country, while expressing anguish over the killing of not only grown up girls, but also even fetuses. She blamed society for the Disha incident.