CRIME AGAINST WOMEN: Punjab CM constitutes committee to suggest possible legal changes to expedite justice

Chandigarh, January 3, 2013: The Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today constituted a State Committee headed by Justice V. K. Bali, Retired Chief Justice of High Court of Kerala and former Judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court and High Court of Rajasthan to look into and suggest possible amendments in the Criminal Laws and other relevant laws in order to provide for speedy justice and bring to book the perpetrators of heinous crime committed on women.

Ashok Aggarwal, Advocate General, Punjab, would be the Member of this Committee besides two former Judges of Punjab and Haryana High Court Justice S. K .Jain (Retired) and Justice Bakhshish Kaur (Retired) and Principal Secretary Home, Punjab who shall also act as Secretary of the Committee.

According to an official spokesman, the Committee would review the present Laws and look into possible amendments in the Criminal Laws and other related Laws for expeditious and effective justice. The spokesman added that the Committee may suggest various ways and measures which could expedite the investigation, prosecution and trial as also provide for stringent punishment to the culprits of heinous crimes in cases of aggravated assault on women.

He said that the Committee would submit its report to the Chief Minister within 60 days for action and implementation. Within its ambit, the Committee would also look at required police reforms; integration with citizen bodies including panchayats as also the ultimate setting up of fast-track courts.