New Delhi:
With the Ruchika molestation case causing uproar, Union Law Minister M Veerappa Moily on Friday said the government has decided to "fast track" cases relating to women, including those involving rape, molestation and dowry.
"At the National Consultation on Judicial Reforms held recently, the Government and the Judiciary have decided to prioritise and classify cases related to women, children and the disabled. Classification is an important component of the programme," Moily said.
He said classification and prioritisation would ensure that such cases are "fast tracked" in courts. He said a "blueprint" on legal reforms approved by the Union Cabinet has mentioned classification of cases for early disposal.
"Otherwise also, cases pending for 15 years or more will be reduced to 3 years and that will be achievable from here within 3 years. All cases pending in courts after January 1, 2010 will be treated as arrears," the minister said adding, a policy could be announced in a fortnight.
To a question on the delay in delivery of justice in the Ruchika molestation case, Moily termed it as "atrocious". Ruchika's case is atrocious and delay is unpardonable," he said.
Asked about the possibility of the Ruchika case being re-opened, Moily said, "I don't know whether there is a possibility". Moily said he had discussed the case with the CBI and the Solicitor General, adding "all serious steps possible will be done".
On stripping Rathore of President's Police Medal awarded to him, Moily was non-committal. "I am not in a position to comment on it", he said.
Chautala said he, as chief minister, did not recommend Rathore for President's medal and that his name was forwarded for the award as part of a routine bureaucratic process.
"I did not recommend him for the medal. That was done as part of a routine work by officers. The issue (recommendation) did not come to my notice," he said.
Unhappy with the lighter sentence, Girhotra said Rathore should be punished for abetment to suicide under Sec.305 of the IPC which entails death penalty, life imprisonment or a jail term up to 10 years.
Chautala said the case dates back to August 12, 1990 when an FIR was lodged.
"I was not satisfied with the FIR only. We started departmental inquiry which suggested that charge sheet should be filed in the case. Later the charge sheet was filed," he said.
When contacted, Bhajan Lal said it was Chautala who had made Rathore DGP. He termed as baseless allegations made against him by Chautala.
"At the National Consultation on Judicial Reforms held recently, the Government and the Judiciary have decided to prioritise and classify cases related to women, children and the disabled. Classification is an important component of the programme," Moily said.
He said classification and prioritisation would ensure that such cases are "fast tracked" in courts. He said a "blueprint" on legal reforms approved by the Union Cabinet has mentioned classification of cases for early disposal.
"Otherwise also, cases pending for 15 years or more will be reduced to 3 years and that will be achievable from here within 3 years. All cases pending in courts after January 1, 2010 will be treated as arrears," the minister said adding, a policy could be announced in a fortnight.
To a question on the delay in delivery of justice in the Ruchika molestation case, Moily termed it as "atrocious". Ruchika's case is atrocious and delay is unpardonable," he said.
Asked about the possibility of the Ruchika case being re-opened, Moily said, "I don't know whether there is a possibility". Moily said he had discussed the case with the CBI and the Solicitor General, adding "all serious steps possible will be done".
On stripping Rathore of President's Police Medal awarded to him, Moily was non-committal. "I am not in a position to comment on it", he said.
Chautala said he, as chief minister, did not recommend Rathore for President's medal and that his name was forwarded for the award as part of a routine bureaucratic process.
"I did not recommend him for the medal. That was done as part of a routine work by officers. The issue (recommendation) did not come to my notice," he said.
Unhappy with the lighter sentence, Girhotra said Rathore should be punished for abetment to suicide under Sec.305 of the IPC which entails death penalty, life imprisonment or a jail term up to 10 years.
Chautala said the case dates back to August 12, 1990 when an FIR was lodged.
"I was not satisfied with the FIR only. We started departmental inquiry which suggested that charge sheet should be filed in the case. Later the charge sheet was filed," he said.
When contacted, Bhajan Lal said it was Chautala who had made Rathore DGP. He termed as baseless allegations made against him by Chautala.
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