Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia at a press conference (PTI Photo)
Delhi Government today appointed a Group of Ministers (GoM) to examine whether the existing law can be amended to ensurse death penalty or life imprisonment to those involved in raping minors and to lower the cut off age of juveniles found guilty in such cases, besides to explore possibility of setting up special police stations.
The decision to appoint the Group of Ministers (GoM), which will finalise the report within 15 days, was taken at a Cabinet meeting presided by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to discuss the law and order situation in the wake of rape of two minors including a two-and-half-year-old child in the city.
Briefing reporters, Mr Kejriwal said a Commission of Inquiry will be set up withing a week to examine issues relating to women safety and that a list of rape cases pending in various courts in Delhi will be prepared to fast-track them.
"Since CrPC and IPC are subjects in concurrent list over which Delhi Government has executive powers, GoM will examine and submit a report on whether Delhi Government can set up special police stations to register and investigate crime against women in those cases where women do not get satisfactory response from local police stations," said Mr Kejriwal.
He said the GoM will submit a concrete proposal so that an amendment bill can be laid in next session of the Assembly.
The Chief Minister said Delhi government was ready to spend funds to set up new courts and improve existing infrastructure in this regard.
The GoM will also examine whether the investigating officer can be held accountable in case of delay in filing charge sheets relating to cases of sexual violence against women, he said.
The GoM will also suggest measures for expeditious delivery of justice.
The GoM will be headed by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
Attacking the police, the Chief Minister said law and order situation has deteriorated significantly and women do not feel secure in the city.
"There is no fear among those who commit such crimes. The sense of security is over," the Chief Minister said.
Mr Kejriwal has been targeting the Centre following rapes of a two-and-half-year-old child and another five-year-old girl in the capital on Friday.
Yesterday, Mr Kejriwal had a meeting with Lt Governor Najeeb Jung following which he stepped up attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he will not let him sleep "peacefully" if "jungle raj prevails".
"We will not allow the Prime Minister to sleep peacefully if women in Delhi do not get proper safety and the present trend of rapes continues. That is guaranteed," he had said.
Mr Kejriwal has been maintaining that there was no control over Delhi Police and it was high time they be made accountable.