A search for solutionsby Chhavi Goenka

cgoenka@gmail.com

A reflection on the recommendations of Justice Verma committee, with focus on changes in the

Police force

Violence against Women

Bad Governan

ce

Patriarchal

attitude

These reported numbers are not small!

Imagine what the actualnumbers must be!

According to a report in 2002, on an average 15000 rapes are

reported in India.

Police – Protectors orPerpetrators?!

Laws already in place

Some forgotten cases of rape by policemenDate Age Background Location Case status

7.16.93 26 Wife of auto driver unknown 3p involved, retracted

6.20.93 11 Bangladeshi migrant

Police booths 5P involved, under trial

2.11.93 39 Wife of dtc driver Police station 3P, under trial1.16.93 n/a Wife of factory

workerMedical shop 1P , retracted

9.20.91 30s Wife of mechanic Police station 1P, retracted5.9.90 25 Nepali migrant Victim’s house 2P, closed1.11.90 27 Bengali migrant Police post 2P, retracted1.10.90 35 Himachal migrant barracks 2P, retracted12.24.89 20 Visitor from MP Deserted

police booth1P, retracted

11.1.89 36 Living at a dhaba Police station 3P, closed

Problems

Custodial Rape or rape by policemen

Failure to file an FIR

Failure to investigate

Political intervention

Frequent Transfers

Police reforms suggested by Justice Verma Committee

Bill of rights for women 7-10 years, extendable to life imprisonment,

for custodial rape 5 years imprisonment for failure to file FIR Fixed tenure for senior staff of police Investigation of every misconduct, proper

equipment and training for investigation Prevent political interference in transfers and

assignments Prevent political interference for proper

accountability

Government’s response - Justice Verma report delayed, Justice to many denied

Ignores the bill of rights for women drafted by the committee

Punishment for failure to register FIR or biased investigation is just a token 1 year; no police reforms

The ordinance continues to provide a shield of impunity to the powerful. There are no provisions against candidates charge sheeted for sexual violence.

The ordinance retains the requirement of ‘prior permission’ for prosecution of public servants/ judges/ magistrates/ army officers.

No provision for investigation or punishment of senior police/army officers for custodial rapes that are committed at their orders or with their knowledge in custody by their junior officers.  

How can we get justice for Ruchika Girhotra or Soni Sori (molested by a police officer), Geetika Sharma or Rupam Pathak (raped by MLAs) Thangjam Manorama (raped by army personnel)

Sources: http://www.indiaresists.com, http://www.tehelka.com

Kanoon nahiSarkar andhi hai

And that needs to change!