Monitor News Bureau
New Delhi: Amid the outcry over Kathua and Unnao rape cases, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said his government would amend the law to secure death penalty for the rapists of minor girls.
While vowing to take the legislative measure during the next assembly session, Kejriwal also said he would also set up fast-track courts to complete the trial of the cases of crime against women in six months.
The chief minister, however, lamented that like Delhi government, its Vidhan Sabha too was “just a quarter of an assembly” as all bills passed by it, required the Centre’s approval.
Kejriwal also launched a sharp attack on the BJP over the Unnao and Kathua rape cases, saying a dangerous message was being relayed that if the accused belonged to the party ruling at the Centre, the entire machinery would step in to shield him.
“In the last three years, the legislations which were passed and forwarded to the Centre, none of them have been approved. We will forward even these amendments to the Centre and I appeal to the Union government to pass them so that they can be implemented for safety and speedy justice to women,” he said.
Kejriwal was speaking at Rajghat where DCW chief Swati Maliwal has been sitting on a hunger strike since Friday, demanding provisions for swift capital punishment to those found guilty of raping minors.
Kejriwal also appealed to the Delhi High Court to provide him the number of fast-track courts and judges needed for the completion of trial of all cases of crime against women within six months and promised to provide the requisite fund for the purpose.
“We want women safe,” he said, adding he had also written to the high court in this regard in the past.
“We will bring amendments in the IPC and CrPC during the next assembly session to ensure death penalty for those found guilty of raping minors and (set up) fast track courts so that trials get over in six months,” he said.
“As CM, I am worried about the safety of women in Delhi. As an Indian, I am worried about the safety of women in my country. I am participating in this protest today to demand a system, which ensures their safety,” he said.
