From: Kewal Ahluwalia < >
The nation has finally woken up from its slumber. There appear to be some glimmer of hope and signs of changes in the wake of Delhi Gang rape.
Below two stories are the indications as to what the mindset of the people in high positions is today and how they are reacting.
The Delhi gang rape has awakened public conscience. Now mere condolences will not work. We need concrete steps. Stricter laws against rape. The center and state governments should involve chief justices of the Supreme Court and high courts to expedite cases related to crime against women, including rape, for speedy justice. People of all religions and sects should inculcate ‘good values’ in their children. Society should also change its mindset towards women. The ad and film industry needs to introspect as well.
1. In Indian law, Public-Interest Litigation (PIL) is a litigation for the protection of the public interest. PIL may be introduced in a court of law by the court itself, rather than the aggrieved party or another third party. The PILs come in the backdrop of the nation-wide outrage over December 16 brutal gang-rape and assault of a 23-year-old woman in Delhi, who died in a Singapore hospital on December 29.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear a PIL filed by a former woman IAS officer Promilla Shanker seeking directions from the government to ensure safety of women and conducting fast-track court proceedings in all rape cases.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir will hear on Thursday the PIL which will seek suspension of MPs and MLAs who are still on the job accused of cases of sexual offenses where a charge sheet has been filed against them for crime against women. There is a need to decriminalize politics and surely a serious effort has to be made to stop people who have serious charges of sexual assault against them from contesting elections.
2. Delhi gang rape: Lawyers refuse to defend men accused of crime
NEW DELHI: Lawyers at a Delhi court hearing the case of the fatal gang-rape which has shocked the nation said on Wednesday they would refuse to defend the men accused of taking part in the assault and murder.
Hearings are expected to begin on Thursday at the Saket district court in south New Delhi, where police will formally present a 1,000-page charge sheet against the six-person gang.
“We have decided that no lawyer will stand up to defend the rape accused as it would be immoral to defend the case,” Sanjay Kumar, a lawyer and a member of the Saket district bar council, told AFP. Kumar said the 2,500 advocates registered at the court have decided to “stay away” to ensure “speedy justice”, meaning the government would have to appoint lawyers for the defendants.
Kewal Ahluwalia.
ॐ Hinduu Nation ॐ 