The cases of rape or sexual harassment at workplaces move at its own pace despite a clear provision of law especially in latter cases to install a mechanism that is intended to act as a deterrent against the acts of raging the modesty of women.
The city police acknowledge the lack of a dedicated cell to expedite cases of rape and crime of lesser intensity committed against the vulnerable section of the society however they believe that the amendments to CrPc (Code of Criminal Procedure) introduced a year back envisages time bound action in the case.
“We don’t have a dedicated cell for cases of crime against women but we do take such cases on priority basis. We immediately register FIR in such cases. The amendment in CrPc introduced a year back aims to address the cases in time bound manner,” said City SP Anoop Birtharay. The CrPc makes it incumbent upon police to file a charge-sheet against accused by 60-days counting from the date of registering FIR.
Meanwhile, accused in attempted rape case that took place at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) is still at large. The accused in the case is claimed to have left Ranchi. The incident happened on July 26.
“Accused was working with a private firm which was given contract of maintenance of elevators. We have asked the company to help us in making the accused surrender else we will take action against the firm also,” said Bariatu PS in-charge, Vinod Kumar Singh.
But crimes against women committed in sprawling government and private offices largely go unreported due to stigma attached and compulsions of a victim. To unearth these cases which are brushed under carpet to save face of the institution the ‘Vishakha Judgement’ of 1997 stipulated setting up ‘Complaint Committee’ in government as well as private organizations. The committee in most of the departments and private is either namesake or exists on papers as claimed by front organization for women- State Women Commission.
“Some departments have setup a committee whereas some have sought suggestions about the person to nominate in the committee. The work is happening but it is taking time,” said Chairperson of the commission Mahua Maji.
The ‘Vishakha Judgement’ recommends a Complaints Committee at all workplaces headed by a woman employee with not less than half of its members being woman. The committee’s role is to recommend action against the accused and advise a victim on further course of action against the culprit.