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All four convicts in the December 16, 2012, Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case will be hanged on January 22,2020 at 7 a.m. inside Tihar jail
Justice Verma Committee
- Justice Verma Committee was constituted to recommend amendments to the Criminal Law so as to provide for quicker trial and enhanced punishment for criminals accused of committing sexual assault against women. The Committee submitted its report on January 23, 2013.
- Punishment for crimes against women: The Committee rejected the proposal for chemical castration as it fails to treat the social foundations of rape. It opined that death penalty should not be awarded for the offence of rape as there was considerable evidence that death penalty was not a deterrence to serious crimes. It recommended life imprisonment for rape.
Reforms in management of cases related to crime against women:
- A Rape Crisis Cell should be set up. The Cell should be immediately notified when an FIR in relation to sexual assault is made. The Cell must provide legal assistance to the victim.
- All police stations should have CCTVs at the entrance and in the questioning room.
- A complainant should be able to file FIRs online.
- Police officers should be duty bound to assist victims of sexual offences irrespective of the crime’s jurisdiction.
- Members of the public who help the victims should not be treated as wrong doers.
- The police should be trained to deal with sexual offences appropriately.
- Number of police personnel should be increased. Community policing should be developed by providing training to volunteers.
