Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde will make a statement in Parliament at 12 noon today on the decisions taken by the government on the issue of safety and security of the women. Talking to media after holding a high level meeting with senior Police officials including Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar in New Delhi this morning, Mr Shinde said that since Parliament Session is on, he will disclose the details of measures to be taken on the floor of the House only.
Lok Sabha Speaker Miera Kumar said that there should be stringent laws to tackle incidents of rape. Talking to media persons outside Parliament today, she said there is a need to take more measures for the safety and security of women.
The BJP has demanded that the Delhi gang-rape case should be taken up by a fast track court and the culprits be punished in 30 days. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Opposition leader in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj demanded capital punishment to the guilty, as soon as possible. Ms Swaraj said there was a precedent in Rajasthan in which guilty were punished in 30 days.
The BJP leader further demanded the Union Home Ministry to take up the issue instead of leaving it on Delhi government. She also asked UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi to promise action instead of demanding it from the Delhi Police.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has also called a meeting of all women groups in New Delhi this evening to curb the recurrence of incidents which happened in the National Capital on sunday. Talking to a private TV channel, Ms Dikshit said that she wants a consensus among all political parties on whether the Delhi Police and law and order should be under the Delhi government.
A goup of protesters have gathered outside the Delhi Police Headquarters to demand justice and action on the incident.
Meanwhile, the condition of the 23 year old victim deteriorated last evening after which she was put on full-time ventilator support. Congress President Sonia Gandhi visited Safdarjung Hospital last night to inquire about the her condition. Mrs Gandhi sought strictest possible measures to ensure that there is no recurrence of such a barbaric crime.
National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to Home Ministry and Delhi Police and sought a report on the incident within two weeks. NHRC observed that the incident raised the issue of declining public confidence in law and order machinery in Delhi.
Meanwhile the Delhi High Court today took cognisance of the gang-rape of a 23 years old girl in a bus. It asked the city's Police Commissioner to file a status report in two days. The court also asked the Delhi Government to provide the best medical facilities to the victim and her male friend.
