MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a): A total number of 2,28,650 cases, 2,44,270 cases and 3,09,546 cases were registered under crimes against women including minor girls during 2011-2013. As per available details a total number of 7,112 cases, 8,541 cases and 12,363 cases were registered under rape of children during 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively. State/UT wise and crime head wise details of cases registered, cases charge-sheeted, cases convicted, persons arrested, persons charge-sheeted, persons convicted and conviction rate under crime against women and children during 2011-2013 are available in Ministry of Home Affairs website. (http:// mha1.nic.in/par2013/AnnexureToLSUNSQ3786_040814.pdf)
(b) & (c): As per Constitution of India, setting up of subordinate courts and Fast Track Courts for speeding up trial of cases relating to crime against women and children is the responsibility of the State Governments. A statement indicating the state-wise number of courts set-up for expeditious disposal of cases of crimes against women is enclosed at Annexure-I.
As per recommendations of the Conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices held on 7th April, 2013, Union Government has requested the State Governments and High Courts to consider setting up of Fast Track Courts (FTCs) for disposal of cases relating to offences against women, children, differently abled persons, senior citizens and marginalized sections of the society. Government has requested the State Governments and the Chief Justices of High Courts to utilize 10% additional posts of judges being created in sub-ordinate judiciary in pursuance of the directions of Supreme Court in Brij Mohan Lal Cases.
Union Government has decided to provide funds upto maximum of Rs. 80 crore per annum on a matching basis upto 31.03.2015 from the 13th Finance Commission Award for disbursement of salaries of the 10% additional posts of judges to be created.
Legislative provisions have been made by the Government for setting up of Special Courts for speedy trial of offences against children. Section 25 of the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act 2005 provides that for the purpose of providing speedy trial of offences against children or of violation of child rights, the State Government may, with the concurrence of the Chief Justice of the High Court, by notification specify at least a court in the State or specify, for each district a Court of Session to be a Children’s court to try the said offence.
(d): No such official data is available in the Government.
(e): Ministry of Home Affairs has taken a series of measures to strengthen the legislation and implementing agencies to contain incidents of crimes against women and Children. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2013, have come to force since 3rd Feb, 2013 on crimes against women. The Government has amended various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act. It has enhanced punishment for crimes like rape, sexual harassment, stalking, voyeurism, acid attacks, indecent gestures like words and inappropriate touch etc. The new laws have provisions for increased sentence for rape convicts, including life-term and death sentence, besides providing for stringent punishment for offences such as acid attacks, stalking and voyeurism.
The Government of India has specifically formulated a comprehensive legislation ‘The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012’ (POCSO Act) in order to effectively address the heinous crimes of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children.
A Nirbhaya Fund was initiated by the Govt. of India to support initiatives by various Ministries, Departments and NGOs towards protecting safety, security and dignity of women in India. Under the aegis of Nirbhaya Fund, Ministry of Home Affairs was allotted Rs. 321.69 crore for launching an integrated Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) platform for supporting Geographical Information System (GIS) Based Call Taking and Global Positioning System (GPS) based Police vehicle dispatch function that will help to improve the efficiency in responding to women distress calls and provide speedy assistance.
As per the seventh schedule to the Constitution of India `Police` and `Public Order` are State subjects and, as such, the primary responsibility of prevention, detection, registration, investigation and prosecution of crime, lies with the State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations. However, Government of India is deeply concerned with the welfare of women and children and through various schemes and advisories to the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations, augments the efforts of the States /UTs. Periodic meetings are also conducted with States / UTs to improve co-ordination and obtain ground level information in this regard.
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