Mandatory police action in crime against women: MHA's new advisory

Taking cognisance of recent crimes against women in Uttar Pradeshs Hathras and other states the Ministry of Home Affairs MHA has issued an advisory to all states and Union Territories UTs directing them for mandatory and timebound police action in such cases with compulsory registration of First Information Report FIRIt has further warned that any failure on the part of the police to adhere to the mandatory requirements in crime against women will be inquired and necessary action will be taken immediately against the concerned officers responsible for the lapsesThe advisory says It is requested that states and UTs may suitably issue instructions to all concerned to ensure strict compliance with the provisions in the law However even with stringent provisions in law and several capacity building measures undertaken any failure of police to adhere to these mandatory requirements may not augur well for the delivery of criminal justice in the country especially in context of women safety Such lapses if noticed need to be investigated into and stringent action taken immediately against the concerned officers responsible for the sameThe states and the UTs have also been requested to monitor the cases on the Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences ITSSO to ensure that suitable follow up action is taken on the chargesheet of the guilty in a timely manner as required in the lawCompulsory registration of FIR in case of cognisable offence under subsection 1 of section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 CrPC was advised to the states and the UTs The law also enables the police to register FIR or a Zero FIR in case the crime is committed outside the jurisdiction of police station in the event of receipt of information on commission of a cognisable offence which includes cases of sexual assault on women says the advisorySection 166 Ac of the Indian Penal Code 1860 IPC provides for punishment to a public servant for failure to record FIR in relation to cognisable offences punishable under section 326A Section 326B Section 354 Section 354B Section 370 Section 370A Section 376 Section 376A Section 376AB Section 376B Section 376C Section 376D Section 376DA Section 376DB Section 376E or Section 509 in IPC Besides the advisory said Section 173 of CrPC provides for completion of police investigation in relation to rape in two monthsIn order to facilitate the state police to monitor compliance in this regard MHA has provided an online portal called Investigation Tracking ITSSO for monitoring the same This is available exclusively to law enforcement officers Section 164A of CrPC provides that in rape or sexual assault investigation the victim shall be examined by a registered medical practitioner under consent within 24 hours from the time of receiving the information relating to the commission of such offence it saidIn order to facilitate the State Police Bureau of Police Research and Development BPRampD has issued Sexual Assault Evidence Collection SAEC kits to every state and UT It is necessary to use these SAEC kits in every case of sexual assault reportedThe ministry issued the advisory on Friday days after a 19yearold Dalit girl was allegedly gangraped by four men in Uttar Pradeshs Hathras leading to her death As similar crimes were reported in Jharkhand and Rajasthan and other states leading to widespread protests and political outcry the ministry took the step to issue the fresh advisoryIn the advisory it referred to its May 16 2019 advisory on a failure to record information under subsection 1 of Section 154 of CrPC punishable under 166A of the Indian Penal Code The MHA took reference of its another advisory dated December 5 2019 regarding timely and proactive action by the police in cases of crimes against womenThe ministry also mentioned Standard Operating Procedures SOP for the investigation and prosecution of rape against women issued by the BPRampD and added points regarding distribution of the Sexual Assault Evidence Collection kits to states and UTs by BPRampD as described in MHAs letter dated October 5 this yearKeep scrolling to read more newsCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest newsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever