65% crime against women cases disposed of last year

Times of India: Gurgaon: Wednesday, 18 February 2015.

Cases of crime against women maybe rising in the city, but so is the rate of disposal of such cases by courts, particularly fast-track ones.

Between January and December 2014, 203 new cases of crime against women were filed in Gurgaon's fast-track court. Of this, verdicts on 132 have already been announced, while 71 cases are still pending.

During the same period, a total of 1,444 complaints were filed before the Crime against Women (CAW) cell, of which 437 were converted into FIRs, revealed a reply to an RTI filed by city-based activist Aseem Takyar.

According to government data, most cases pertained to rape (Section 376 of the IPC) and sexual assault (Section 354A of IPC). Some also related to the POCSO (protection of children from sexual offences) Act. A few cases were also filed under Section 366 (kidnapping of a minor girl) and 498A (cruelty by husband). All cases were disposed off quickly, with some even dealt with within 4-5 months.

Some lawyers say quick disposal leads to "hurried" justice. Sometimes, the prosecution fails to contend a case strongly, due to the speedy investigation.

"We have seen that at certain times, the court wants to dispose off cases without giving adequate time for either of the parties to prepare. This usually happens because judges, especially in fast-track courts, are given deadlines," said a lawyer on condition of anonymity.

City-based lawyer Manmohan Dang has a different view. "Though the time is limited at a fast-track court, but because it is the same for both prosecution and defense, this doesn't affect the outcome of the case," he said. Public prosecutor Anurag Hooda agreed, saying, "Cases are decided on merit. So there is no question of giving a verdict hurriedly."