High Court notice to govt on rising rape cases in State

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday issued notices to the Union and State governments for their alleged failure to curtail the increasing number of rape cases.

The Vacation Bench also ordered issuance of notices to the Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, the Minister for Home and the DG&IGP, following a public interest litigation seeking and end to political interference in investigations into rape and gang-rape cases.

Hearing the petition filed by M K Vijaya Kumar, a Bangalore-based advocate, the Division Bench comprising Justices Abdul Nazeer and B S Indrakala issued notices to the above parties.

The petitioner stated in his submission that the State and the Central governments were not concerned about the safety of women and girls who were increasingly falling victims to rape and gang-rapes in Karnataka.

“More such cases are being reported in Bangalore. This City, which is known as IT capital, has become the crime capital,” said the petitioner.

The petitioner said that the police had failed in their duty to investigate rape cases and murder of women, as the investigating officers were being frequently transferred from one police station to another due to political interference.

“Politicians frequently write to the chief minister and the Home minister and seek posting of police officers of their choice to the places they want.

The duty of the government is to prevent gang-rape incidents by proper policing and patrolling at night. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, rape cases increased by nine per cent in the State, compared with the previous years,” he said.

The PIL further sought the court to direct the parties to strictly follow the directions of the High Court and the Supreme Court while investigating the crime of rape/gang-rape.

“Investigation into such cases should proceed without delay, immediately upon receipt of a complaint. We also seek the direction of the court that police officers should not be influenced by politicians while investigating such incidents. It affects the fundamental right of the victims,” the PIL said.

Hearing the petition, the Division Bench issued notices to the respondents and adjourned the case.