Claiming that he has instructed the police to strictly follow “the policy of zero tolerance” as far as crimes against women are concerned, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik told the State Assembly on Tuesday that FIRs relating to offences against women can be lodged in any police station of the State and then transferred to the concerned police station for investigation.
“In all cases of serious crimes like rape, the police have been directed to conduct investigation and file chargesheets expeditiously, preferably within 60 days,” he said.
Patnaik said that while every SP office would have a women’s cell, which would track all serious cases of crime against women, Mahila and Sishu Desks are being made more active and at least one lady police officer would be attached to the desk.
He said more Prosecutors are being engaged to conduct cases relating to serious crimes against women, he said, adding that the DG of Police has been authorised to engage Special Prosecutors wherever required.
Similarly, he said, the Registrars of the Civil Courts of all 30 districts have been authorised to act as Assistant Sessions Judges for trial of offences against women on a fast track basis.
In order to prevent acid attack on women, the Government has formulated the Odisha Poison Rules 2013 which would restrict and regulate sale and storage of acids, Patnaik said.