More PCR patrol vans during night, says Shinde

The government will put the trial of the gang rape of a 23-year-old physiotherapist in Delhi on fast track and not hesitate to punish the police personnel found guilty, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde told the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

Responding to angry Upper House members, who raised the poor law and order situation in the national capital, the home minister said more Police Control Room (PCR) patrol vans would be deployed to keep vigil on all roads at night. Routes used by women working late in BPOs and call centres would be identified for increased police patrolling.

“The gang-rape incident is a cause of worry. If there are any lapses, we will act against the police,” the minister said in response to CPM member Prasanto Chatterjee, who contended that as late as 9 PM, when the rapists picked up the victim and her boyfriend waiting for a bus, there were hardly any PCR vans on the road.

The Home Minister was hurriedly summoned to the House after Opposition leaders, in the morning, demanded suspension of the question hour to enable a discussion on the brazen gang rape and bashing of the victims in a moving bus on Sunday night. After several interruptions and a 15- minute adjournment of the House, the government agreed to a impromptu discussion after the question hour.

Shinde said four persons out of the six accused have already been arrested and a manhunt was on for the remaining two. The bus has been seized. Agreeing with members’ suggestions, he said necessary steps would be taken to ensure safety of women in Delhi.

A special task force headed by Home Secretary R K Singh will be constituted to look into suggestions made by MPs, he said.

The home minister said a Criminal Law Amendment Bill, which sought to enhance punishment for sexual crimes had been introduced in the Lok Sabha.