Letter to Justice Verma Committee

After the recent Delhi Gang Rape incident, we witnessed a National uprising and Global awakening on issues of Women Safety.

Justice Verma Committee recently invited suggestions from the general public on 'Measures to make the city safe'. Here is what I submitted..................

Respected Justice Verma Committee,

SUBJECT: Suggestions as a law abiding civil society member

Dear Ma’am/Sir,

I don’t have a law background but am a law abiding citizen of this country and as a woman I think I am in a good enough position to propose some meaningful and practical solutions to your committee. We are really banking on you to MAKE SURE that the voice of civil society is not ignored this time. So a big Thank you in advance for taking up this task.

Let me begin by saying that for any problem, the solution is not one-sided, Infact it is multi-dimensional and holistic. So, the system in entirety needs to be reformed!

1) SPEEDY JUSTICE AND STRICT PUNISHMENT

Sentences for All RAPE cases must be pronounced within 6 months of the incident. Now it is upto the court to calculate and decide how many Fast track courts they need to establish! We want speedy trial and STRICT PUNISHMENT. The minimum sentence period should be 20 years and RAPE CULPRITS are CULPRITS, their AGE is no consideration. Whether juveniles or adults imprisonment for 20yrs is a must! All rape cases are ‘Rarest of rare’ cases for the victim and their families. There should be no differentiation and discrimination. Till this country does not enforce STRICT Punishment, nothing will change. And let us not bring ‘Reforming the criminals’ topic into the arena of a Heinous crime like RAPE. Spare these cases from petty punishments and SET an example in all cases by pronouncing the most strict punishment possible. 

2) GENDER SENSITISATION + LEGAL EDUCATION courses in schools

Some may question the impact or real output of Gender sensitisation classes at school level. But I feel it should still be introduced, because such interventions work in the long term to produce the desired outcomes.

This should be accompanied with gender sensitisation of trainers as well! i.e. ‘Training of trainers’. Those who would be imparting the subject, should themselves first be sensitised to ensure that the treatment of course is serious and that they are truly dedicated towards the basic premise or soul behind this course. Treating it as just another subject or not applying suitable pedagogy won’t serve the purpose. It should be included in the UGC course for teachers (within .NET and B.Ed training).

Also, along with this subject, a module on ‘Legal education’ is very important. Knowledge about one’s basic rights and punishments for criminal offences should be imparted to the general public. We should start by introducing it in schools. Law as a subject is currently treated like a highly specialised, college level course. Introducing legal education at all spheres of general public should follow next.

3) In order to make a city safe, it is essential to establish and maintain an efficient and safe public transport system. Auto rickshaws and buses must display their number plate, Name of the driver and owner, mobile number and other details INSIDE the bus! Clearly and legibly so that passengers can note this information. A database on all the public transport DRIVERS should be maintained by a suitable authority. Licenses should be granted based on a Character Certificate. The State must have all the details of operators and Drivers of these vehicles AT ALL TIMES.

4) Mass recruitment of women in the police force and giving special powers and positions to them for women safety is the need of the hour. Besides this, HOLISTIC training of all men constables (since they form the majority of police force) should be introduced. Besides physical training this should include basic legal education, gender sensitisation, Behavioural response and training on manner of treatment of sensitive cases related to women safety, Training on ethics, etiquettes and communication skill impartment.

5) Introducing self defence classes and encouraging fitness classes in all cities is a plausible solution. As a nation we must encourage and build a Sports tradition. While many private tutors and organisations exist in the sector of ‘Fitness and Health’, basic infrastructure (Stadiums, open spaces, equipments, and monetary support) is MISSING. Encouraging martial arts training, self defence training and basic physical fitness through sports will go a long way in making both men and women independent and secure in terms of the safety.

6) PCR vans- REFORMS required

PCR vans were introduced with the principle of making the city safe. These ‘mobile safety wagons’ were supposed to bring down crime levels. They were meant to make us feel safe and secure and also enable speedy disposal of complaints against crime.

Now the time of reforms has come. We must investigate and analyse, what real impact have they got in this city? Have they really helped in bringing down the crime? Do they respond well? Are they vigilant enough. Recent exposes by media and general observations of citizens have revealed that their presence makes no difference and acts as no deterrent to criminals.

In my own colony in Jasola, New Delhi, these PCR vans roam around for collecting ‘Hafta’ from the market and street vendors. They also take bribes from plot owners who are constructing their homes in this new colony for stuff like: Use of Borewell, as a ‘tradition’ each time when a roof is laid during the construction of a building. It is appalling to see them so dedicated and active in making rounds for these ‘UNSCONSTITUTIONAL’ and ‘ILLEGAL’ activities and not for our SAFETY.

I suggest their patrolling charts should be prepared and made public in all localities. Whenever they patrol they should periodically use their siren (in many cases crime has been averted out of fear in the criminal when he hears a siren).

7) Sensitivity in registering an FIR or recording a complaint for RAPE/MOLESTATION/STALKING/EVE-TEASING     

Women should have a Right to give a statement in presence of a Woman police officer PRIVATELY! Police should be penalised for not following what is already there in our laws. According to law, a women rape victim can demand a private meeting in a comfortable environment (in home with her family members) with only one police officer present to record her statement. They should not be subjected to public humiliation. Moreover, many rape cases go unreported for the same reason (OUT OF THE FEAR OF recounting the horrific experience in front of NON GENDER sensitised constables and police station staff!)

8) Use of ICT

It is high time the Indian security/police force adopts and USE better technology and communication tools. Known as ICT (Information-Communication-Technology) it includes usage of various tools like GPS, Internet, Database management system, Management information system (MIS), Smart phones with special apps, cameras, BETTER patrolling vehicles etc. The government must immediately disburse funds and come up with a BUDGET for the police force, so that our police stations and personnel can be better equipped to handle crime. Email ids and Facebook accounts must be created for registering complaint and for interacting with the citizens.

9) Better living conditions & Better salaries for our police personnel

At the end, we have to accept their JOB is tough and they work round the clock for us. Least the government can do is to INCENTIVISE this JOB. Only then will more and more people will be willing to join the police force.

10) Regular public consultations by local police stations.

In our daily routine we hardly interact with our police personnel. Each local police station must get in touch with the locality’s RWA president or citizen group. He/She should then regularly interact with citizen forums from his jurisdictional area to ensure that the local citizens feel safe and communicate their concerns from time to time.

CITIZENS CAN BE THE EYES, they can report suspicious activity, unsafe areas or points that require attention and also report cases or even small incidences from time to time. An active society and police station would indeed DETER crime!

Such meeting can be organised once in a month and a nodal person should be appointed immediately.

11) BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE

Well-lit areas are important in making us feel secure. The least the government can do is, that they should install CCTVs at all corners, road junctions, market places, bus stops etc. With a DEDICATED SURVEILLANCE TEAM to monitor the movements in these areas.

Streetlights must be installed in working condition and the entire city should be lit up! Investment in SAFETY infrastructure is URGENTLY required. There is an option of solar street lights these days (they store the power during day and light up in night using the same!) This would reduce cost.

THANK YOU,

Yours Sincerely,

Rozita Singh