Taking serious note of the ‘brickbat’ incident where a Delhi Police head constable was caught on camera hitting a woman with a brick, the Union Home Ministry on Sunday issued a detailed advisory to all States and Union Territories (UTs) asking them to increase the number of beat constables on crime-sensitive roads, launch help kiosks on remote and lonely stretches and ensure strict patrolling at night.
The advisory also ordered to increase the number of women police officers in the mobile vans and conduct a thorough verification of drivers and conductors of public vehicles.
In an attempt to save the victim from going through innumerable stops to file a complaint, the advisory said, “If, at the time of registration of FIR, it becomes apparent that the crime was committed outside the jurisdiction of a police station, police should be appropriately instructed to register ‘Zero FIR’ and ensure that the same is transferred to the police station concerned.”
The Centre has also warned that if any public servant fails to record any information given to him in relation to cognisable offences punishable for rape, acid throwing, sexual harassment and trafficking, he or she shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment (RI) for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to two years.
“It is alleged that even after enactment of crimes against women specific legislation —Criminal law (Amendment) Act 2013, cases are not being registered under appropriate sections of IPC leading to suppression of heinous crimes and misrepresentation in crime data. Proper sensitisation of lower level functionaries is needed to make optimum use of existing legislation,” said the circular.
Further, the State Governments have been asked to hold regular training programmes on gender sensitisation for all levels of officers. “Mention of gender sensitivity in the annual performance appraisal report should be included to ascertain the conduct of the police personnel. Attitude of police personnel towards women should be considered for their postings and promotions. A gender-sensitivity index may be developed and applied appropriately while taking decisions on posting of police personnel in the field,” it said.
Quoting the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the Ministry said even as the investigation was complete in 60 per cent cases in 2011-13, only four per cent had resulted in conviction in rape cases. The advisory said that a similar pattern had been noticed in other types of crimes also. It said, “This is a matter of serious concern as it is severely eroding the deterrent value of punishment and emboldening the potential offenders. Hence the States are requested to expedite setting up of fast-track courts and strengthen the prosecution wing to conclude the trial speedily in cases of crimes against women.”