UP chief minister Mayawati has said that the Criminal Procedure Code will be suitably amended in Uttar Pradesh to make them more stringent in cases of crime against women.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, the chief minister said that an ordinance was being issued to make cases registered under Section 354 of IPC non-bailable and added that the Cabinet will submit a resolution to the governor to bring about changes in Section 435 and 439, so that no bail is given to the accused until proven innocent. “Rape cases will be heard within six months so that speedy justice can be meted out to the culprits,” she said.
The chief minister announced that she will convene an all important meeting of police officials on June 27 to issue necessary directives to deal with such situations.
“Thereafter a month-long campaign will be launched under which the station officers will prepare a list of habitual offenders in their areas. Efforts will first be made to reform them and if they do not mend their way, action will be initiated against such elements,” the chief minister said.
Ms Mayawati asked the media to show restraint and put out news only after proper confirmation of the incident. She said that she will also direct officials to interact with the media on such issues and give them the true facts. While accepting the fact that there were administrative lapses in the recent spate of crime in UP, she said that all those found wanting had not been spared and had either been dismissed or suspended.